Accounting for the Demonic: Helpful and Unhelpful Factors Associated With Belief in Demonic Etiologies of Mental Illness Among Evangelical Christians

Demonic etiologies of mental illness (e.g., demonic attack, oppression, or possession) promoted by some evangelical Christians groups may lead to the isolation and stigmatization of those experiencing mental ill-health. Yet belief in demonic etiologies can also serve psychological functions, helping people to construct meaning in response to adversity and suffering. This research seeks to explore the factors associatedwith a demonic etiology of mental illness that are considered both helpful and unhelpful to evangelicals experiencing mental ill-health. A convenience sample of 50 evangelical Christians completed a qualitative survey regarding the relationship between the supernatural and mental health. A contextualist thematic analysis identified three main themes: (1) conceptualizations of mental illness, (2) demonic conceptualizations of mental illness as helpful, and (3) demonic conceptualizations ofmental illness as unhelpful. Findings suggest that while spiritual etiologies of mental illness are widespread, these may frequently also coalescewith a nuanced recognition and appreciation for biopsychosocial factors. Demonic etiologies of mental illness may be experienced as helpful by affording individuals meaning in their suffering and enabling positive spiritual coping. Conversely, demonic etiologies may be experienced as unhelpful when they discourage access to secular mental health support and lead to stigmatization and isolation. These findings underline the complexities of studying etiological accounts of mental illness in religious communities and confirm the limitations of a dichotomized approach to psychological illness in evangelical Christian communities whereby spiritual accounts are rendered as pathological or unhelpful.