Religion and COVID 19 Pandemic for better or for worse?

Abstract

COVID-19 has negative repercussions on psychological aspects of the individual. Provision of personalized assistance to each individual is a task which cannot be fulfilled by the health system. In this context religion remains to be an effective tool. A qualitative study was conducted to find the spiritual practices and coping mechanisms of COVID-19 infected people(N=15, mean age =46.3 years) in Kurunegala district. Data collection was conducted using in-depth interviews and thematic analysis was conducted. The main themes found were Fatalism and perceived risk of COVID 19, Adherence to health care guidelines despite fatalistic beliefs, Religious coping in COVID 19, Spiritual practices for coping with stress/ distress and Fatalism as a positive force for self-care. It is imperative to manage the pandemic with the assistance of religion and spiritual practices.