Spiritism and Covid-19: The Pandemic's Impact on Mental Health and Spiritist Involvement

Spiritism in Brazil is a religion of psychological demand, attracting individuals experiencing psychic suffering. COVID-19 has influenced mental health and religiosity. This cross-sectional and analytical study involving individuals with Spiritist engagement in Ceará, Brazil, during the pandemic (2022) used the Spiritist Engagement Form and digital snowball sampling to measure the sociodemographic profile and the influence of COVID-19 on mental health, psychic assistance, and the relationship with Spiritist centers before and during the pandemic. A higher prevalence was observed among women (72.1%), married individuals (58.6%), parents (66.5%), postgraduates (55.0%), those with an income above R$7,801.00 (25.4%), and self-declared Spiritists (78.8%). The most prevalent factors of psychic suffering were: illness of a close person (35.8%) and job loss/crisis or income reduction (29.1%), while COVID-19-related factors included the use/abuse of legal drugs (58.1%) and self-inflicted violence (56.1%). High rates of psychic follow-up before the pandemic dropped during the pandemic, with decreases in psychiatric care (-27%), psychological care (-41%), and Integrative and Complementary Practices (-37%). Before COVID-19, most participants were attendees (92.5%) and workers (69.8%) at Spiritist centers. During the pandemic, overall attendance decreased (-15%), particularly for Fluidotherapy (-53%) and Fraternal Assistance (-45%). Workers decreased by 8%, especially in Fluidotherapy (-32%) and Philanthropic Projects (-26%). In contrast, the proportion of attendees and workers in the Systematic Study of Spiritist Doctrine (ESDE) increased (+4% and +6%, respectively), as did administrative workers (+23%). Individuals with Spiritist involvement were characterized by high levels of education and income. COVID-19 was associated with the use of legal drugs, self-inflicted violence, and a reduction in all forms of psychic care compared to pre-pandemic levels. During the pandemic, there was a decline in attendees and workers in Spiritist centers, particularly in assistance activities (lockdown effect). However, there was a proportional increase in attendees and workers in theoretical and administrative activities, which could be performed digitally. This population demonstrated a high level of Spiritist involvement despite psychic suffering, healthcare neglect, and the challenges inherent to the pandemic process.