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Research on Religion, Spirituality, and Mental Health: A Review
Open accessAbstract
Religious and spiritual factors are increasingly being examined in psychiatric research. Religious beliefs and practices have long been linked to hysteria, neurosis, and psychotic delusions. However, recent studies have identified another side of religion that may serve as a psychological and social resource for coping with stress. After defining the terms religion and spirituality, this paper reviews research on the relation between religion and (or) spirituality, and mental health, focusing on depression, suicide, anxiety, psychosis, and substance abuse. The results of an earlier systematic review are discussed, and more recent studies in the United States, Canada, Europe, and other countries are described. While religious beliefs and practices can represent powerful sources of comfort, hope, and meaning, they are often intricately entangled with neurotic and psychotic disorders, sometimes making it difficult to determine whether they are a resource or a liability.
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“Spirituality serves to comfort people, assuage anxiety, and increase feelings of security, also boosting confidence in oneself and/or in what Harold G. Koenig (2009) calls “Divine beings”.”
From Trauma, Spirituality, and Healing: A Journey through the Lens of an Incarcerated Person (2022) · cites this paper as Koenig (2009)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe source backs part of the claim, not all of it — or backs it for a different population, condition or comparison.
In the citing paper
“In extant literature, spirituality is shown to predict psychological well-being for adults who have experienced childhood trauma (Balgobin 2021), leading to less depression, suicide, anxiety, and substance abuse (Koenig 2009).”
From Trauma, Spirituality, and Healing: A Journey through the Lens of an Incarcerated Person (2022) · cites this paper as Koenig 2009
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“The research literature on religiosity and mental health offers two entangled empirical narratives: some studies suggest that religious beliefs can present a psychological buffer against stress and hopelessness; other studies, however, indicate an intricate link between religious beliefs and psychotic and neurotic disorders [54–56].”
From Unpleasant meditation-related experiences in regular meditators: Prevalence, predictors, and conceptual considerations (2019) · cites this paper as [55]
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“As we see through Joseph's experience, Koenig (2009) shows that the struggles that arise from negative spiritual coping can significantly increase anxiety, wherein people feel that God is punishing them, has abandoned them, or is not able to intercede on their behalf.”
From Trauma, Spirituality, and Healing: A Journey through the Lens of an Incarcerated Person (2022) · cites this paper as Koenig (2009)
In the citing paper
“Also, religion and spirituality seem to confer resilience 112, 113.”
From Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives. (2013) · cites this paper as [112]
In the citing paper
“Thus, religious beliefs may provide a sense of meaning and purpose during difficult life circumstances 112.”
From Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives. (2013) · cites this paper as [112]
In the citing paper
“One of them is that religion and spirituality may stimulate a sense of life purpose 112, 115”
From Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives. (2013) · cites this paper as [112]
In the citing paper
“Some authors33,34 attribute this finding to the influence of psychological theories, such as Sigmund Freud's35 psychoanalysis, which is known to have pathologized religious behavior.”
From How psychiatrists think about religious and spiritual beliefs in clinical practice: findings from a university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil (2019) · cites this paper as [34]
In the citing paper
“Religion/spirituality has been associated, for example, with lower rates of suicide, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse, better recovery in cases of depression and greater overall well-being.1–4”
From A preliminary survey on the religious profile of Brazilian psychiatrists and their approach to patients' religiosity in clinical practice (2016) · cites this paper as [3]
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 201–300 of 1,000
Components of psychosocial health
Husain, W. (2021) · Health Education · doi:10.1108/he-05-2021-0084 · Cited by 22
Torskenæs, K. B., Baldacchino, D., Kalfoss, M. H., Baldacchino, T., Borg, J., Falzon, M., & Grima, K. (2013) · Journal of Nursing Management · doi:10.1111/jonm.12080 · Cited by 40
“Quantitative and qualitative research on clients with acute, chronic and life-threatening illness and health care professionals proposed several definitions of spirituality extending from the religious tradition towards the secular orientation (Cobb 2001, McSherry 2007, Koenig 2009).”
BackgroundReligion, Spirituality, and Mental Health: What We Know and Why This is a Tough Topic to Research
Blazer, D. G. (2009) · The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/070674370905400501 · Cited by 40
Espiritualidade e resiliência na adultez e velhice: uma revisão
Margaça, C., & Rodrigues, D. A. (2019) · Fractal Revista de Psicologia · doi:10.22409/1984-0292/v31i2/5690 · Cited by 41
Lucchetti, G., de Aguiar, P. R. D. C., Braghetta, C. C., Vallada, C. P., Moreira‐Almeida, A., & Vallada, H. (2011) · Culture Medicine and Psychiatry · doi:10.1007/s11013-011-9239-6 · Cited by 39
“Also, those with more frequent religious activity tend to have a better quality of life and wellbeing (Koenig 2009; Lucchetti et al. 2011a, b; Sawatzky et al. 2005).”
BackgroundLGBTQ Experiences with Religion and Spirituality: Occupational Transition and Adaptation
Beagan, B. L., & Hattie, B. (2014) · Journal of Occupational Science · doi:10.1080/14427591.2014.953670 · Cited by 39
“Religion is generally understood to involve an established collective tradition with common beliefs and practices, as well as teachings to guide the lives of adherents (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundVillatoro, A. P., Dixon, E. L., & Mays, V. M. (2016) · Psychological Services · doi:10.1037/a0038515 · Cited by 42
“, anxiety, substance use, depressive disorders) and function as a psychological and social resource for coping with stress (e.g., Alegría, Shrout, et al., 2007; Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundCan Religion Protect Against Suicide?
Norko, M. A., Freeman, D., Phillips, J., Hunter, W., Lewis, R., & Viswanathan, R. (2016) · The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease · doi:10.1097/nmd.0000000000000615 · Cited by 43
Psychotic experiences and religiosity: data from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys
Kovess–Masféty, V., Saha, S., Lim, C. C. W., Aguilar‐Gaxiola, S., Al‐Hamzawi, A., Alonso, J., Borges, G. L. G., de Girolamo, G., de Jonge, P., Demyttenaere, K., et al. (2018) · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/acps.12859 · Cited by 44
“There is evidence to suggest that these individuals may be more likely to report PEs (33).”
BackgroundDamiano, R. F., Santi, T. D., Beach, S. R., Pan, P. M., Lucchetti, A. L. G., Smith, F. A., Forlenza, O. V., Fricchione, G. L., Miguel, E. C., & Lucchetti, G. (2021) · Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2020-1582 · Cited by 60
Myers, N. A. L. (2016) · Transcultural Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/1363461516663124 · Cited by 48
“Ninety percent of the world considers itself to live in a religion-oriented culture, and religious leaders are often a first stop for mental health care (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundHuda, M., & Sabani, N. (2018) · International Journal of Children s Spirituality · doi:10.1080/1364436x.2018.1431613 · Cited by 38
“Attempts to stress spirituality as a philosophy and a way of improving human minds underline that individuals with more spirituality have chances of lower extents of heart illness and psychological problems, such as depression and over-thinking (Koenig 2009).”
BackgroundThe challenging task of defining spirituality
Jastrzębski, A. K. (2020) · Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health · doi:10.1080/19349637.2020.1858734 · Cited by 38
“Academics who want to operationalize spirituality for their research have to demonstrate empirically that their understanding of spirituality has unique properties that cannot be conceived easily by other positive character traits or positive mental health indicators (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundRelationships between estimated autozygosity and complex traits in the UK Biobank
Johnson, E. C., Evans, L. M., & Keller, M. C. (2018) · PLoS Genetics · doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1007556 · Cited by 38
A Many-Analysts Approach to the Relation Between Religiosity and Well-beingPreprint
Hoogeveen, S., Sarafoglou, A., van Elk, M., & Wagenmakers, E. (2022) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/pbfye · Cited by 38
Posttraumatic Growth in Widowed and Non-widowed Older Adults: Religiosity and Sense of Coherence
López, J., Camilli, C., & Noriega, C. (2014) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-014-9876-5 · Cited by 37
“According to Koenig (2009), many people find religiosity and spirituality as the most significant resource to develop posttraumatic growth (PTG), followed by family, friends”
InfluentialHow Religious Beliefs and Practices Influence the Psychological Health of Catholic Priests
Isacco, A. J., Sahker, E., Krinock, E., Sim, W., & Hamilton, D. (2015) · American Journal of Men s Health · doi:10.1177/1557988314567325 · Cited by 48
“…evidence of new links to positive health outcomes, and increased importance placed on health practitioners to enhance their multicultural competence such as attending to and being respectful of their patient’s R/S beliefs and practices (e.g., Koenig, 2009; Powell, Shahabi, & Thoresen, 2003).”
BackgroundRaffay, J., Wood, E., & Todd, A. J. (2016) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-016-0903-9 · Cited by 43
“A collaborative (as opposed to a dependent) religious coping style (working with God rather than waiting for God to fix things) correlates with a positive impact on mental health and recovery [7, 8].”
BackgroundThe role of religious advisors in mental health care in the World Mental Health surveys
Kovess–Masféty, V., Evans-Lacko, S. E., Williams, D. R., Andrade, L. H., Benjet, C. L., ten Have, M., Wardenaar, K. J., Karam, E. G., Bruffaerts, R., Abdulmalik, J. O., et al. (2016) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.1007/s00127-016-1290-8 · Cited by 41
On the Science of Consciousness: Epistemological Reflections and Clinical Implications
Facco, E., Lucangeli, D., & Tressoldi, P. E. (2017) · EXPLORE · doi:10.1016/j.explore.2017.02.007 · Cited by 38
Kent, B. V., Henderson, W. M., Bradshaw, M., Ellison, C. G., & Wright, B. R. E. (2020) · International Journal for the Psychology of Religion · doi:10.1080/10508619.2020.1777766 · Cited by 41
“In a review of studies undertaken prior to 2000, Koenig (2009) finds lower reported rates of depressive symptoms among the religious in two-thirds of available results.”
BackgroundExploring life stressors, depression, and coping strategies in college students
Terrell, K. R., Stanton, B. R., Hamadi, H. Y., Merten, J. W., & Quinn, N. (2022) · Journal of American College Health · doi:10.1080/07448481.2022.2061311 · Cited by 42
“33 Specifically, prayer is correlated with an increased sense of support, purpose, and security.”
BackgroundUnderstanding Community Resilience Through the Accounts of Women Living in West Bank Refugee Camps
Darychuk, A., & Jackson, S. F. (2015) · Affilia · doi:10.1177/0886109915572845 · Cited by 36
“Koenig (2009) found a positive relationship between religiosity and physical health, irrespective of education, income, or gender.”
BackgroundDamiano, R. F., Ribeiro, L. M. D. A., dos Santos, A. G., da Silva, B. A., & Lucchetti, G. (2016) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-016-0321-9 · Cited by 37
“However, according to many authors, meaning of life is a core domain of human spirituality and might play an important role in human life (Gall et al. 2011; King and Koenig 2009; Puchalski et al. 2009).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialGender differences in positive mental health among individuals with schizophrenia
Jeyagurunathan, A., Vaingankar, J. A., Abdin, E., Sambasivam, R., Seow, E., Pang, S., Picco, L., Chong, S. A., & Subramaniam, M. (2017) · Comprehensive Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.01.005 · Cited by 36
Hassanabad, A. F., Bahrami, N., Novick, R. J., & Ali, I. S. (2021) · Journal of Cardiac Surgery · doi:10.1111/jocs.15610 · Cited by 40
“This data suggest that preventative and therapeutic steps should be taken to address the impact of depression on QoL, including faith and hope as both are reported to significantly improve patient QoL after cardiac surgery.(50,76)”
BackgroundSpirituality and Religion Among French Prisoners
Mandhouj, O., Aubin, H., Amirouche, A., Perroud, N., & Huguelet, P. (2014) · International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology · doi:10.1177/0306624x13491715 · Cited by 23
Bullock, M. (2012) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · doi:10.82308/3332 · Cited by 35
Schwadel, P., & Falci, C. (2012) · Society and Mental Health · doi:10.1177/2156869312442885 · Cited by 35
Robinson, M. A., Jones-Eversley, S. D., Moore, S. E., Ravenell, J. E., & Adedoyin, A. C. (2018) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-018-0570-x · Cited by 51
“Skinner) were skeptical of the role religion had in mental health (Koenig 2009; Masters and Bergin 1992; Stark et al. 1996).”
Wilkinson, D., & Johnson, A. (2020) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2020.1724919 · Cited by 36
“Religion has been associated with psychological and social resources, for example, support communities (Weber & Pargament, 2014), when coping with stress or associated conditions (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundVaingankar, J. A., Choudhary, N., Chong, S. A., Devi, F., Abdin, E., Shafie, S., Chua, B. Y., van Dam, R. M., & Subramaniam, M. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18073368 · Cited by 51
“Given its deep connection with values that individuals apply in their daily life, it is natural that religion and spirituality are considered influential social institutions having multifaceted relationships with aspects of people’s lives, including their mental health and health-related lifestyle habits such as diet,…”
BackgroundInfluentialNurhayati, N., & Purnama, T. B. (2021) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-021-01418-z · Cited by 35
“…been adopted to promote behavioral change toward public health challenges, including HIV-AIDS (Cotton et al., 2006; Gray, 2004; Noden et al., 2010; Zou et al., 2009), mental health (Koenig, 2009; Moreira-Almeida et al., 2006), and nutrition (Persynaki et al., 2017; Trepanowski & Bloomer, 2010).”
Backgroundde Barros, M. C. M., Leão, F. C., Vallada, H., Lucchetti, G., Moreira‐Almeida, A., & Peres, M. F. P. (2022) · Transcultural Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/13634615221088701 · Cited by 38
“Interestingly, some of the few Brazilian studies previously conducted indicated no signi fi - cant differences in the prevalence of SREs between genders, but differences in the willingness to report them (F. R. Machado, 2009; Martins & Zangari, 2012).”
Religion and Mental Health During Incarceration: A Systematic Literature Review
Eytan, A. (2011) · Psychiatric Quarterly · doi:10.1007/s11126-011-9170-6 · Cited by 43
“When people are confronted with severe and chronic medical conditions, religious coping is the rule rather than the exception [13].”
BackgroundDengah, H. J. F., Thomas, E. B., Hawvermale, E., & Temple, E. (2019) · Medical Anthropology Quarterly · doi:10.1111/maq.12527 · Cited by 34
“Living Between Two Different Worlds”: Experiences of Leaving a High-Cost Religious Group
Björkmark, M., Nynäs, P., & Koskinen, C. (2021) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-021-01397-1 · Cited by 34
“Researchers have previously found faith and religion to be positive resources that strengthen an individual’s quality of life (Griffith, 2010; Hintikka et al., 2001; Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundSpiritual Treatment for Depression in Brazil: An Experience From Spiritism
Lucchetti, A. L. G., Peres, M. F. P., Vallada, H., & Lucchetti, G. (2015) · EXPLORE · doi:10.1016/j.explore.2015.07.002 · Cited by 34
Does psychological distress vary between younger and older adults in health and disease?
Goulia, P., Papadimitriou, I., Machado, M. O., Mantas, C., Pappa, C., Tsianos, E. V., Pavlidis, N. A., Drosos, A. A., Carvalho, A. F., & Hyphantis, T. N. (2011) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2011.11.011 · Cited by 34
Klapheck, K., Nordmeyer, S., Cronjäger, H., Naber, D., & Bock, T. A. (2011) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291711001103 · Cited by 34
“Examples are salutogenesis (Eriksson & Lindström, 2006, 2007), posttraumatic growth (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2006), recovery (Bonney & Stickley, 2008), optimism (Rasmussen et al. 2009), spirituality (Koenig, 2009) and subjective beliefs and meaning (Roessler et al. 1999 ; Park, 2010).”
BackgroundOn behalf of the ASSERT-DEP Study Group members, Paika, V., Andreoulakis, E., Ntountoulaki, E., Papaioannou, D., Kotsis, K. T., Siafaka, V., Fountoulakis, K. Ν., Pargäment, K. I., Carvalho, A. F., et al. (2017) · Annals of General Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12991-017-0136-4 · Cited by 41
“First, NRC was strongly associated with poorer mental health and greater depressive symptom burden, in line with the results of all previous studies performed [5, 54, 55].”
ResultThe possibilities and challenges in providing pediatric spiritual care
Alvarenga, W. D. A., de Carvalho, E. C., Caldeira, S., Vieira, M. M. D. S., & Nascimento, L. C. (2017) · Journal of Child Health Care · doi:10.1177/1367493517737183 · Cited by 34
“Nevertheless, research shows that at least 90% of the world’s population is currently involved in some form of religious or spiritual practice (Koenig, 2009) and that parents influence on the religiosity of children (Baring, 2012).”
BackgroundCarey, L. B., Kumar, S., Goyal, K., & Ali, F. (2023) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-022-01704-4 · Cited by 39
“With 285 citations, Bonelli and Koenig (2013) top the list. This article examines the original research on religion, religiosity, spirituality, and related terms. There is strong evidence linking religious participation to improved mental health in the areas of depression, substance abuse, and suicide; some evidence l…”
BackgroundInfluentialDevelopment and validation of the Intrinsic Religiousness Inventory (IRI)
Taunay, T. C. D., Cristino, E. D., Machado, M. O., Rola, F. H., Lima, J. W. O., Macêdo, D. S., Gondim, F. D. A. A., Moreira‐Almeida, A., & Carvalho, A. F. (2012) · Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1590/s1516-44462012000100014 · Cited by 34
Israel‐Cohen, Y., Kaplan, O., Noy, S., & Kashy‐Rosenbaum, G. (2016) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-016-0187-x · Cited by 34
Assessing spirituality: is there a beneficial role in the management of COPD?
Gergianaki, I., Kampouraki, M., Williams, S., & Tsiligianni, I. (2019) · npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine · doi:10.1038/s41533-019-0134-x · Cited by 35
Religiosity and the psychological outcomes of trauma: A systematic review of quantitative studies
Kucharska, J. (2019) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.22867 · Cited by 40
Sivris, K. C., & Leka, S. (2015) · Safety and Health at Work · doi:10.1016/j.shaw.2015.07.002 · Cited by 33
Religion and mental health: a narrative review with a focus on Muslims in English-speaking countries
Ibrahim, A. F., & Whitley, R. (2020) · BJPsych Bulletin · doi:10.1192/bjb.2020.34 · Cited by 38
Saunders, S. M., Petrik, M. L., & Miller, M. L. (2013) · Psychology of Religion and Spirituality · doi:10.1037/a0035200 · Cited by 32
“R) variables and better psychological health, including increased hope and lower levels of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundInfluentialFilipino College Students’ Attitudes towards Religion: An Analysis of the Underlying Factors
Baring, R. V., Sarmiento, P. J. D., Sibug, N., Lumanlan, P., Bonus, B., Samia, C., & Reysen, S. (2018) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel9030085 · Cited by 36
“This observation is also noted in other Western literature (Koenig 2009) which sees the distinction of spirituality from religiosity as problematic for assessment purposes.”
ResultLong-term trajectories of depression symptoms in mothers of children with cancer.
Sharp, K. M. H., Fisher, R. S., Clark, O. E., Dunnells, Z. D. O., Murphy, L. K., Prussien, K. V., Vannatta, K. A., Compas, B. E., & Gerhardt, C. A. (2019) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/hea0000826 · Cited by 32
“MATERNAL TRAJECTORIES OF DEPRESSION 7 not been previously linked with depression in mothers of children with cancer, it has been associated with depression more generally (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundThe Mediating Effect of Coping Strategies on Religious/Spiritual Struggles and Life Satisfaction
Szczęśniak, M., Kroplewski, Z., & Szałachowski, R. R. (2020) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel11040195 · Cited by 34
Arslan, G. (2021) · Journal of religion and health · doi:10.1007/s10943-021-01211-y · Cited by 28
“2015; Koenig 2009; Shirkavand et al.”
BackgroundDeLuca, J. S., Novacek, D. M., Adery, L. H., Herrera, S. N., Landa, Y., Corcoran, C. M., & Walker, E. F. (2022) · Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health · doi:10.1080/23794925.2022.2042874 · Cited by 35
“Faith, spirituality, and religious beliefs often serve as an integral coping strategy and as protective factors against mental health challenges (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundJafari, N., Zamani, A., Lazenby, M., Farajzadegan, Z., Emami, H., & Loghmani, A. (2012) · Palliative & Supportive Care · doi:10.1017/s1478951512000727 · Cited by 32
“…that spirituality has a positive impact on physical (Nelson, 2009; Campbell et al., 2010; Park et al., 2011) and mental health (Baetz & Toews, 2009; Koenig, 2009; Dein et al., 2010) as well as health-related quality of life (HRQOL), especially in chronic or life-threatening disease (Krupski et…”
BackgroundFisher, J. W. (2013) · International Journal of Children s Spirituality · doi:10.1080/1364436x.2013.844106 · Cited by 32
“For some, this is the central, imperative component of SWB (Pargament 1999; Koenig 2009; Casas et al. 2009), whereas others believe that there is no evidence for the existence of a god (Gidley 2005) or any other form of Transcendent beyond the human and natural world.”
BackgroundPrayer, Meditation, and Anxiety: Durkheim Revisited
Bartkowski, J. P., Acevedo, G. A., & Loggerenberg, H. V. (2017) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel8090191 · Cited by 33
Religion and mental health: an Eastern Mediterranean region perspective
Ghuloum, S., Al-Thani, H., & Al-Amin, H. A. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1441560 · Cited by 31
“According to Koenig (2009), in contexts where patients’ beliefs appear to be helping them cope, it may be appropriate for the psychiatrist to offer support.”
BackgroundInfluentialAfrican American Elders’ Serious Illness Experiences
Coats, H., Crist, J. D., Berger, A. M., STERNBERG, E. M., & Rosenfeld, A. G. (2015) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/1049732315620153 · Cited by 31
“Consistent with the literature on post-traumatic growth—“a learning through a struggle” (Bonnano, 2004, p. 2; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996)—PSS healing has been linked to post-traumatic growth (Koenig, 2009; Skeath et al., 2013; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996; Young et al., 2014).”
InfluentialSalomé, G. M., de Almeida, S. A., & Ferreira, L. M. (2015) · Advances in Skin & Wound Care · doi:10.1097/01.asw.0000459844.07689.02 · Cited by 32
Norhayati, M. N., Hussain, N. H. N., Razak, A. A., & Sulaiman, Z. (2017) · BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth · doi:10.1186/s12884-017-1377-6 · Cited by 33
“These beliefs offer divine support, which helps to reduce isolation, loneliness and the need for personal control [11].”
BackgroundLoch, A. A., Freitas, E. L., Hortêncio, L., Chianca, C., Alves, T. M., Serpa, M. H., Andrade, J. C., van de Bilt, M. T., Gattaz, W. F., & Wulf Rössler, A. (2018) · Schizophrenia Research · doi:10.1016/j.schres.2018.09.020 · Cited by 31
Association Between Autozygosity and Major Depression: Stratification Due to Religious Assortment
Abdellaoui, A., Hottenga, J., Xiao, X., Scheet, P. A., Ehli, E. A., Davies, G. E., Hudziak, J. J., Smit, D. J. A., Bartels, M., Willemsen, G. A. H. M., et al. (2013) · Behavior Genetics · doi:10.1007/s10519-013-9610-1 · Cited by 31
“Religion has often been reported to be an important coping mechanism with a positive influence on mental health (Koenig 2009).”
InfluentialRitual well-being: toward a social signaling model of religion and mental health
Wood, C. (2017) · Religion, Brain & Behavior · doi:10.1080/2153599x.2016.1156556 · Cited by 32
“In light of inconsistencies in the empirical data, researchers have offered conflicting views on the directionality and nature of the relationship (Koenig, 2009; Levin, 1994; Maselko, Hayward, Hanlon, Buka, & Meador, 2012; VanderWeele, 2013).”
BackgroundBarriers to Mental Health Care: A 25‐Year Follow‐Up Study of the Orthodox Jewish Community
Schnall, E., Kalkstein, S., Gottesman, A., Feinberg, K., Schaeffer, C. B., & Feinberg, S. S. (2014) · Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development · doi:10.1002/j.2161-1912.2014.00052.x · Cited by 30
Measuring Religiosity/Spirituality in Diverse Religious Groups: A Consideration of Methods
Berry, D. M., Bass, C. P., Forawi, W., Neuman, M. E., & Abdallah, N. (2011) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-011-9457-9 · Cited by 34
“2006; Rew and Wong 2006), meta-analyses and reviews of the literature have demonstrated an apparent protective effect from alcohol misuse and depression specifically (Johnson et al. 2008; Koenig 2009; Hackney and Sanders 2003).”
BackgroundAi, A. L., Pargäment, K. I., Appel, H. B., & Kronfol, Z. (2010) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.20716 · Cited by 32
Depression in Australian women: The varied roles of spirituality and social support
Bennett, K., & Shepherd, J. (2012) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/1359105312443400 · Cited by 30
“Previous researchers have explored the association between spirituality and depression and found that higher levels of spirituality were associated with lower levels of depression (Bekelman et al., 2010; Kandasamy et al., 2011; Koenig, 2009, 2010; Yi et al., 2006).”
BackgroundChandramohan, S., & Bhagwan, R. (2016) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel7030023 · Cited by 30
“Another survey of 292 cancer patients found that prayer was the highest coping strategy used by 64% (n = 187) of patients [36].”
BackgroundSurżykiewicz, J., Skalski‐Bednarz, S. B., Niesiobędzka, M., & Konaszewski, K. (2022) · Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2022.954382 · Cited by 69
“A growing number of studies suggests that people often turn to various aspects of religion in stressful situations (Zinnbauer and Pargament, 1998; Koenig, 2009; Cassibba et al., 2014; FormosoSuárez et al., 2022), in order to maintain a sense of control (Sasaki and Kim, 2011), regain mental balance…”
BackgroundRandall, G., & Bishop, A. (2013) · The gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gns070 · Cited by 27
Younger African American Adults’ Use of Religious Songs to Manage Stressful Life Events
Hamilton, J. B., Stewart, J. M., Thompson, K., Alvarez, C., Best, N. C., Amoah, K., & Carlton-LaNey, I. B. (2016) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-016-0288-6 · Cited by 29
Religion and spirituality in the context of bipolar disorder: a literature review
Pesut, B., Clark, N., Maxwell, V., & Michalak, E. E. (2011) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2010.523890 · Cited by 31
“…Ratner, & Chiu, 2005) have been shown to be associated with R/S; although this relationship is influenced by the nature of the R/S under consideration (Koenig, 2009) and by the fact that R/S is often measured by indicators that have also been used as indicators of mental health (Koenig, 2008).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialMenegatti-Chequini, M. C., Maraldi, E. D. O., Peres, M. F. P., Leão, F. C., & Vallada, H. (2019) · Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2017-2447 · Cited by 28
Is religiosity a protective factor against suicidal behavior in bipolar I outpatients?
Caribé, A. C., Studart, P., Bezerra-Filho, S., Brietzke, E., Nunes Noto, M., Vianna-Sulzbach, M., Kapczinski, F., Silva Neves, F., Correa, H., & Miranda-Scippa, Â. (2015) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2015.07.024 · Cited by 75
“In fact, NORA involve the private practice of prayer, meditation, or readings independent of institutions or specific liturgy (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundSpiritual aspects of care for chronic Muslim patients: A qualitative study
Moghimian, M., Irajpour, A., & Arzani, H. (2018) · Journal of Education and Health Promotion · doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_199_17 · Cited by 28
“[3] However, three main questions are raised from members of the health‑care team; these are: who can provide this care? with how much confidence should we enter into the privacy of patients’ beliefs? and how can we meet these spiritual needs?”
Durmuş, M., Öztürk, Z., Şener, N., & EREN, S. Y. (2021) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-021-01448-7 · Cited by 39
Xu, X., Zhou, Y., Su, D., Dang, Y., & Zhang, X. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20021256 · Cited by 28
“Several studies have analysed the association between depression and its factors, which mainly include the following types of indicators: (1) demographic characteristics, such as sex [14], age [15], marital status [16], education [17], place of residence [18], ethnicity [19], and religious belief [20]; (2) economic le…”
BackgroundInfluentialJankowski, P. J., & Sandage, S. J. (2011) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2011.579592 · Cited by 32
“…& Koenig, 2010; George et al., 2002; Hackney & Sanders, 2003; Hill & Pargament, 2003; Oman & Thoresen, 2005; Plante & Sharma, 2001; Sandage & Jankowski, 2010; Seybold & Hill, 2001), albeit negative mental health outcomes have also been noted in the literature (Hill et al., 2000; Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundThe Beneficial Role of Spiritual Counseling in Heart Failure Patients
Tadwalkar, R., Udeoji, D. U., Weiner, R. J., Avestruz, F. L., LaChance, D., Phan, A., Nguyen, D., Bharadwaj, P., & Schwarz, E. R. (2014) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-014-9853-z · Cited by 28
“Recently, it has been demonstrated that spirituality has a positive effect on health irrespective of religious background (Curlin et al. 2007; Mueller et al. 2001; Koenig 2009; Baetz et al. 2006; Baetz and Toews 2009).”
BackgroundSpirituality and spiritual care: a descriptive survey of nursing practices in Turkey
Şahin, Z. A., & Özdemir, F. K. (2016) · Contemporary Nurse · doi:10.1080/10376178.2016.1221324 · Cited by 28
The dynamics of spirituality: A cross-cultural lexical analysis.
Lomas, T. (2018) · Psychology of Religion and Spirituality · doi:10.1037/rel0000163 · Cited by 29
Gibbons, J. A., Hartzler, J. K., Hartzler, A., Lee, S. A., & Walker, W. R. (2015) · Consciousness and Cognition · doi:10.1016/j.concog.2015.07.004 · Cited by 30
Religious Faith, Homosexuality, and Psychological Well-Being: A Theoretical and Empirical Review
Hamblin, R. J., & Gross, A. M. (2013) · Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health · doi:10.1080/19359705.2013.804898 · Cited by 33
“Involvement in religious activity has been hypothesized to be a buffer against as well as a contributor to psychological distress (Smith, McCullough, & Poll, 2003; Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundInfluentialHandelzalts, J. E., Stringer, M. K., Menke, R. A., & Muzik, M. (2019) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-019-01595-2 · Cited by 27
“Across varying populations and cultures greater R/S was associated with better mental health (e.g. AbdAleati, Mohd Zaharim, & Mydin 2016; Koenig, 2009; Paloutzian & Park, 2013), for example, lower rates of depression, anxiety and other stress-related mental illnesses (Oman & Lukoff, 2018).”
BackgroundSomatic Symptoms and Holistic Thinking as Major Dimensions Behind Modern Health Worries
Köteles, F. G., & Simor, P. (2013) · International Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12529-013-9363-5 · Cited by 27
“Moreover, spirituality seems to be a highly efficient coping strategy against physical and mental complaints by increasing a general sense of coherence and perceived control over unpleasant symptoms [37].”
BackgroundThe meanings older adolescents attach to spirituality
Spurr, S., Berry, L., & Walker, K. D. (2013) · Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing · doi:10.1111/jspn.12028 · Cited by 27
Hattie, B., & Beagan, B. L. (2013) · Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work Social Thought · doi:10.1080/15426432.2013.801733 · Cited by 27
“Although a small number of research studies have shown negative correlations between religious or spiritual beliefs and mental health, the vast majority have found they are associated with improved stress coping and reduced depression, anxiety, suicide and substance abuse (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundAttachment to God and Psychological Adjustment: God’s Responses and Our Coping Strategies
Parenteau, S. C., Hurd, K., Wu, H., & Feck, C. (2019) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-019-00765-2 · Cited by 31
“Finally, religion has been associated with both positive and negative outcomes (for reviews, see Koenig 2009; Koenig and Larson 2001).”
BackgroundWar, traumatic health shocks, and religiosity
Cesur, R., Freidman, T., & Sabia, J. J. (2020) · Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization · doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2020.08.016 · Cited by 28
Chow, H. H. E., Chew, Q. H., & Sim, K. (2021) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044321 · Cited by 30
The Role of Religious Values and Beliefs in Shaping Mental Health and Disorders
Pastwa‐Wojciechowska, B., Grzegorzewska, I., & Wojciechowska, M. (2021) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel12100840 · Cited by 46
“Harol Koenig (2009) points to several important arguments.”
BackgroundConnectedness: The Updated and Expanded Pillar of Lifestyle Psychiatry and Lifestyle Medicine
Merlo, G., Snellman, L., & Sugden, S. G. (2025) · American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine · doi:10.1177/15598276251345455 · Cited by 37
“170 A meta-analysis by Goncalves et al. found that spiritual interventions have tangible psychological bene fi ts, most notably decreased anxiety.”
Developing and testing an original Arabic religiosity scale
Khalaf, D. R., Hlais, S., Haddad, R. S., Mansour, C. M., Pélissolo, A., & Naja, W. (2014) · Middle East Current Psychiatry · doi:10.1097/01.xme.0000444753.76812.79 · Cited by 27
Bertelli, M. O., Furia, C. D., Bonadiman, M., Rondini, E., Banks, R., & Lassi, S. (2019) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-019-00891-x · Cited by 26
“According to Koenig (2009), religious beliefs may be used in primitive and defensive ways to avoid making necessary life changes.”
BackgroundAlmaraz, D., Galdós, J. S., Martín, F. M., Sánchez‐Iglesias, I., Fernández, A. J. M., & Goldsby, T. L. (2022) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare10081447 · Cited by 31
“Koenig [4] argues that religion and spirituality (1) provide meaning and purpose during difficult life circumstances, which aid in psychological integration; (2) promote a positive view of the world that is optimistic and hopeful; (3) provide role models in the sacred writings that facilitate the acceptance of sufferi…”
BackgroundMoving from risk to resilience in psychosis research
Thakkar, K. N., McCleery, A., Minor, K. S., Lee, J., Humpston, C. S., Chopik, W. J., Burt, S. A., Pearson, A. L., Ungar, M. T., & Park, S. (2023) · Nature Reviews Psychology · doi:10.1038/s44159-023-00205-9 · Cited by 27
Schafer, A. (2010) · Intervention · doi:10.1097/wtf.0b013e32833c1f57 · Cited by 26
“Unautho 122 being, while spirituality is a diverse construct referring to existential concerns such as life anddeath, personal life direction, general wellbeing, comfort and inner peace (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundInfluentialInfluence of religion, religiosity and spirituality on positive mental health of young people
Ganga, N. S., & Kutty, V. R. (2012) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2012.697879 · Cited by 26
“Religion and spirituality seem to provide strong positive resources for health and wellbeing (Jankowski & Sandage, 2011; Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundInfluential
Metadata
- Authors
- Koenig, H. G.
- Affiliations
- Duke Medical Center (US)
- Corresponding author
- Koenig, Harold G
- ORCID
- Koenig, Harold G
- Venue
- The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2009-05
- Volume
- 54
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 283-291
- ISSN
- 0706-7437 (ISSN-L)
- 1497-0015
- OpenAlex
- W181914314
- Cited by
- 1,442
- References
- 77
- Citations by year
- 2026: 53 · 2025: 88 · 2024: 100 · 2023: 90 · 2022: 100 · 2021: 122 · 2020: 153 · 2019: 85 · 2018: 101 · 2017: 75 · 2016: 83 · 2015: 70 · 2014: 73 · 2013: 81 · 2012: 76
- FWCI
- 8.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health, Duke University
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Religion and Society Interactions
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Study and Philosophy of Religion
- Keywords
- religion, spirituality, mental health, depression, suicide, anxiety, psychosis, substance abuse, stress coping, religious beliefs and practices, neurosis, psychotic delusions
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, Mental Disorders, Culture, Depressive Disorder, Humans, Mental Health, Prognosis, Psychotic Disorders, Religion and Psychology, Suicide, Substance-Related Disorders, Spirituality
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