Religion, Spirituality, and Health : The Research and Clinical Implications
Author
Source
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-33, 33 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-12-16
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
33
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
This paper provides a concise but comprehensive review of research on religion/spirituality (R/S) and both mental health and physical health.
It is based on a systematic review of original data-based quantitative research published in peer-reviewed journals between 1872 and 2010, including a few seminal articles published since 2010.
First, I provide a brief historical background to set the stage.
Then I review research on R/S and mental health, examining relationships with both positive and negative mental health outcomes, where positive outcomes include well-being, happiness, hope, optimism, and gratefulness, and negative outcomes involve depression, suicide, anxiety, psychosis, substance abuse, delinquency/crime, marital instability, and personality traits (positive and negative).
I then explain how and why R/S might influence mental health.
Next, I review research on R/S and health behaviors such as physical activity, cigarette smoking, diet, and sexual practices, followed by a review of relationships between R/S and heart disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and dementia, immune functions, endocrine functions, cancer, overall mortality, physical disability, pain, and somatic symptoms.
I then present a theoretical model explaining how R/S might influence physical health.
Finally, I discuss what health professionals should do in light of these research findings and make recommendations in this regard.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Koenig, Harold G.. 2012. Religion, Spirituality, and Health : The Research and Clinical Implications. ISRN Psychiatry،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-33.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-459765
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Koenig, Harold G.. Religion, Spirituality, and Health : The Research and Clinical Implications. ISRN Psychiatry No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-33.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-459765
American Medical Association (AMA)
Koenig, Harold G.. Religion, Spirituality, and Health : The Research and Clinical Implications. ISRN Psychiatry. 2012. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-33.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-459765
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-459765