Existential group practice run by mental healthcare chaplains in Norway: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Abstract

Existential groups run by healthcare chaplains within mental healthcare have a long tradition in Norway. By using a national cross-sectional survey design, this study explored and described both quantitatively and qualitatively these groups’ characteristics. Quantitative data were analysed by descriptive statistics and content analysis inspired by Graneheim and Lundman was used to analyse the qualitative data. The current existential group practice was present in 11 of 25 Norwegian health authorities and across service levels. Five different group approaches, all addressing patients’ existential, spiritual and religious needs and issues, were identified and described. The existential groups were in general eclectic and applied a variety of therapeutic strategies representing group psychotherapy, existential therapy and clinical pastoral care. The findings suggest that this Norwegian existential group practice can be regarded as a well-established and integrated part of the Norwegian mental healthcare. Researchers are challenged to further qualitatively explore this Norwegian existential group practice.