2013

In the last few decades, largely due to a growing body of robust empirical evidence, there has been an increasing recognition of the interconnections between religiousness and health. These data have challenged previous views, mostly based on theoretical perspectives, that religiousness is a vestige of a primitive psychological development, usually associated with immature defenses and psychiatric symptoms.

Zygon�, 2005

The study of the relationship between religion and health has grown substantially in the past decade. There is little doubt that religion plays an important role in many people's lives and that this has an impact on their health. The question is how researchers and clinicians can best evaluate the available information and how we can improve upon the current findings. In this essay we review the current knowledge regarding religion and health and also critically review issues pertaining to methodology, findings, and interpretation of these studies. It is important to maintain a rigorous perspective with regard to such studies and also to recognize inherent limitations and suggest constructive ways in which to advance this field of study. In the end, such an approach can provide new information that will improve our understanding of the overall relationship between religion and health.

Journal of Religion & Health, 1987

This paper reviews epidemiologic studies employing religion as an independent construct, and finds that most epidemiologists have an extremely limited appreciation of religion. After a historical overview of empirical religion and health research, some theoretical considerations are offered, followed by clarification of several operational and methodological issues. Next, well over 200 studies are reviewed from nine health-related areas: cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, colitis and enteritis, general health status, general mortality, cancer of the uterine corpus and cervix, all other non-uterine cancers, morbidity and mortality in the clergy, and cancer in India. Finally, an agenda for further research is proposed.

einstein (São Paulo), 2020

Editorial

African Journal of Psychiatry, 2014

From advancement of mechanistic view of human body to shifting paradigm of evaluation in medicine, world has changed a lot in last two decades in terms of visualizing a person as One Whole Being. Recently many studies have evolved with a question of spirituality benefits on health. Articles largely concentrated on reduction of physical as well as mental symptoms through association with religious practices. On the other hand, some argue on its association considering error in research designs and bias in studies which have linked positive correlation between religion and health. This review article has considered both accounts of objections as well as neutral studies along with recent developments, which is basically integration of spirituality into medical curriculum. Why it is now gaining attention? Why in need of most of the distressed patients? How religion affects coping and perception of a person and help in crisis? Current approach is critically analyzed for further studies to establish ambiguity in many areas and discussed benefits as how health system can be improved through incorporation of spiritual aspect into health assessment.

Journal of Social Issues, 1995

Research on the relation between religion and health has tended to.focus on group identity and specific religious behaviors that are directly linked to improved health. This paper proposes a new model, which incorporates religious beliefs into a system of cognition (illusions and meaning for events) andpsychoneuroimmunologic functioning. It is hypothesized that cognition within religious belief systems may be associated with bodily changes in the immune system and lead to particular health outcomes. The discussion highlights the need for psychological process models to study the way life events are interpreted in the context of religious beliefs. Limitations and challenges of such a global model are identified and several directions for future research are discussed. Social scientists and medical practitioners often ignore the potential influence of religious involvement on individual physical health. However, a growing base of empirical data exists to suggest a role for religion in physical health status. Levin and Vanderpool (1991), for instance, reviewed a convincing list of current empirical studies from epidemiological, gerontological, and behavioral sciences supporting a link between religious involvement and physical health outcomes. They cite the long tradition of research on the interconnectedness of religion and health, noting that over 300 articles have appeared in these fields. Use of social cognition research to explain some of religion's possible deleterious or salubrious effects on health may help push this research domain away from purely descriptive studies about the health of particular religious groups toward more predictive and process-oriented approaches. A cognitive process model represents one way of organizing the field and of trying to make sense of existing empirical relationships between religion and physical health. The bulk of current research in religion seems to emphasize

American Journal of Psychiatry, 2004

This book is the first to present new medical research establishing a connection between religion and health and to examine the implications for Eastern and Western religious traditions and for society and culture.

Religion and its effects on morbidity and mortality (with particular emphasis on mortality) are reviewed as are special issues which have in the past made the study of religion and death difficult. The morbidity and mortality experience of various religious groups is portrayed, including Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, the clergy, Seventh-day Adventists, Latter-day Saints, Parsis, Jehovah's Witnesses and Hutterites. Studies of religious effects on morbidity and mortality have broadened in focus from the study of specific health practices, or health-related behaviors, to include the study of social support, religious participation and health-related attitudes. Gaps in the literature are identified and a preliminary model of religion's effect on morbidity and mortality is discussed.

2001

American Psychologist, 2003

The investigation of spiritual/religious factors in health is clearly warranted and clinically relevant. This special section explores the persistent predictive relationship between religious variables and health, and its implications for future research and practice. The section reviews epidemiological evidence linking religiousness to morbidity and mortality, possible biological pathways linking spirituality/ religiousness to health, and advances in the assessment of spiritual/religious variables in research and practice. This introduction provides an overview of this field of research and addresses 3 related methodological issues: definitions of terms, approaches to statistical control, and criteria used to judge the level of supporting evidence for specific hypotheses. The study of spirituality and health is a true frontier for psychology and one with high public interest.