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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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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Catholic Clerics’ Regarding Mental Health in Lebanon
Aramouny, C., Kerbage, H., Richa, N., Rouhana, P., & Richa, S. (2019) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-019-00758-1 · Cited by 16
“This religious commitment to human life goes back to thousands of years (Koenig 2009).”
BackgroundGryschek, G., Machado, D. D. A., Otuyama, L. J., Goodwin, C. D. G., & Lima, M. C. P. (2019) · Psychology Health & Medicine · doi:10.1080/13548506.2019.1640887 · Cited by 16
Power of Religious Beliefs and Coping with Cancer: Opinions of Iranian Parents
Mazhari, F., Rayyani, M., Iranmanesh, S., Heidari, S., & Sabzevari, S. (2019) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-019-00959-8 · Cited by 16
“29 ± 2 .0 9 1 3 and optimistic worldview, reducing the need for personal control, and providing human and divine protection against isolation and loneliness (Koenig 2009) are examples of religious beliefs that can be effective on the adaptation process.”
BackgroundKeyes, K. M., Platt, J., Rutherford, C. G., Patrick, M. E., Kloska, D. D., Schulenberg, J. E., & Jager, J. (2021) · SSM - Population Health · doi:10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100919 · Cited by 16
“…involvement is historically strongly associated with higher rates of alcohol abstinence and lower binge drinking (Castaldelli-Maia & Bhugra, 2014; Koenig, 2009), it is consistent with the existing literature that declines in the salience of religion to many people in the US would mediate the…”
BackgroundManoiu, R., Hammond, N. G., Yamin, S., & Stinchcombe, A. (2022) · Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement · doi:10.1017/s0714980822000162 · Cited by 16
“Although religion and spirituality are often studied together (Koenig, 2009), it should be noted that there are differences between these constructs.”
BackgroundReligiousness and perceived social support as predictive factors for mental health outcomes.
Krok, D. (2014) · Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy · doi:10.12740/app/31319 · Cited by 19
“It corresponds with previous findings suggesting that religion is only one of the many factors affecting mental health and is often unable to outweigh the negative impact of personal and environmental causes [12, 29].”
I don't believe but I pray: spirituality, instrumentality, or paranormal belief?
Shiah, Y., Chang, F., Tam, W. C., Chuang, S.-F., & Yeh, L. (2013) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/jasp.12125 · Cited by 16
“There is also substantial evidence that some aspects of religiosity are important for health (Hill & Pargament, 2003; James & Wells, 2003; Koenig, 2009; Pargament & Saunders, 2007; Park, 2007; Powell, Shahabi, & Thoresen, 2003; Seybold, 2007; Weaver, Pargament, Flannelly, & Oppenheimer, 2006), although there are disse…”
Psychiatry Residents' Attitudes Toward Spirituality in Psychiatry
Kattan, W. E., & Talwar, V. (2013) · Academic Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/appi.ap.13030027 · Cited by 16
“, 2001) and there are no clear, agreed-upon definitions (Koenig, 2008b).”
BackgroundInfluentialExaltation in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Neuropsychiatric Symptom or Portal to the Divine?
McCrae, N., & Whitley, R. (2014) · Journal of Medical Humanities · doi:10.1007/s10912-014-9294-4 · Cited by 16
Ghahari, S., Fallah, R., Bolhari, J., Mehdi, M. S., Razaghi, Z., & Esmaeil, A. M. (2013) · Cited by 16
The Counseling Implications of Neurotheology: A Critical Review
Dixon, S., & Wilcox, G. (2016) · Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health · doi:10.1080/19349637.2015.1064804 · Cited by 16
“Numerous counseling professionals, including psychologists and clinicians, among other practitioners, acknowledge that spirituality and religiosity can be critical coping tools in response to life stressors (Cloninger, 2007; Pargament, 1997; Vaillant, 2013), and support general mental well-being (Aryee, 2011; Hartz, 2…”
BackgroundPsychometric Testing of a Religious Belief Scale
Chiang, Y., Lee, H., Chu, T., Han, C.-Y. S., & Hsiao, Y. (2016) · Journal of Nursing Research · doi:10.1097/jnr.0000000000000197 · Cited by 16
“…relationship between religious beliefs and health outcomes such as physical health (Naewbood, Sorajjakool, & Triamchaisri, 2012), mental health (Koenig, 2009), stress levels (Dezutter, Robertson, Luyckx, & Hutsebaut, 2010), risk of mortality (Schnall et al., 2010), and satisfaction with the…”
BackgroundForecasted economic change and the self-fulfilling prophecy in economic decision-making
Petalas, D. P., van Schie, H. T., & Vettehen, P. H. (2017) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0174353 · Cited by 19
Svob, C., Wong, L. Y. X., Gameroff, M. J., WICKRAMARATNE, P. J., Weissman, M. M., & Jürgen Kayser, A. (2019) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0224141 · Cited by 19
Atoofi, M. K., Dadfar, M., Turan, Y., & Behnam, L. (2019) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2019.1652892 · Cited by 16
The Role of Spirituality in Stroke Survivors and Their Caregivers: A Systematic Review
Ambrosca, R., Bolgeo, T., Zeffiro, V., Alvaro, R., Vellone, E., & Pucciarelli, G. (2024) · Journal of religion and health · doi:10.1007/s10943-024-02029-0 · Cited by 17
“…et al., 2019), caregiver burden (Hu et al., 2018), QOL (Ramos-Lima et al., 2018) and physical functioning (Saunders et al., 2020), only a few authors have focused on analyzing the effect of spirituality in the stroke population (AbdAleati et al., 2016; Koenig, 2009; Moreira-Almeida et al., 2006).”
BackgroundDentale, F., Vecchione, M., Shariff, A. F., Verrastro, V., Petruccelli, I., Diotaiuti, P., Petruccelli, F., & Barbaranelli, C. (2018) · Psychology of Religion and Spirituality · doi:10.1037/rel0000141 · Cited by 3
Campos, J. O. C., Bredemeier, J., & Trentini, C. M. (2020) · Trends in Psychology · doi:10.1007/s43076-020-00036-0 · Cited by 17
“Definitions of religion generally involve beliefs, practices, and rituals related to the sacred and vary according to each religious tradition (Koenig 2009).”
BackgroundMirkovic, B., Belloncle, V., Pellerin, H., Guilé, J.-M., & Gérardin, P. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.537383 · Cited by 22
Jokela, M. M. (2021) · American Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/aje/kwab276 · Cited by 15
Bodok, I., Schaap‐Jonker, H., Klaassen-Dekker, A., Boselie, J. J. L. M., & Jacobs, N. (2023) · Psychology of Religion and Spirituality · doi:10.1037/rel0000501 · Cited by 23
Kang, H., Fischer, I. C., Dickinson, S., Na, P. J., Tsai, J., Tedeschi, R. G., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2023) · Psychiatric Quarterly · doi:10.1007/s11126-023-10061-8 · Cited by 27
“While some studies have found that religiosity and spirituality may be linked to mental disorders and related negative consequences [51, 52], positive associations between religiosity and PTG have also been observed.”
BackgroundSpirituality and Recovery From Severe Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review
Sawab, S., Yusuf, A., Fitryasari, R., & Arifin, H. (2024) · Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services · doi:10.3928/02793695-20240227-01 · Cited by 19
Lauche, R., Fathi, I., Saddat, C., Klose, P., Al-Abtah, J., Büssing, A., Rampp, T., Dobos, G. J., & Cramer, H. (2024) · International Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12529-024-10296-0 · Cited by 18
“…Ramadan on well-being might not only be related to diet and lifestyle, but to spirituality and sociocultural connection, which are recognized predictors of quality of life and well-being [79] and may serve as important psychosocial resources for coping with stress, depression, and anxiety [80, 81].”
Suicide Risk in the Hospitalized Elderly in Turkey and Affecting Factors
Avcı, D., Selçuk, K. T., & Doğan, S. (2016) · Archives of Psychiatric Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2016.08.002 · Cited by 16
Help-seeking behaviours for psychological distress amongst Chinese patients
Sun, K. S., Lam, T. P., Lam, K. F., Piterman, L., Lo, T. L., Chao, D. V. K., & Lam, E. W. W. (2017) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0185831 · Cited by 16
Plöderl, M., Kunrath, S., & Fartacek, C. (2019) · Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior · doi:10.1111/sltb.12582 · Cited by 17
Flow, Liminality, and Eudaimonia: Pagan Ritual Practice as a Gateway to a Life With Meaning
Sonnex, C., Roe, C. A., & Roxburgh, E. C. (2020) · Journal of Humanistic Psychology · doi:10.1177/0022167820927577 · Cited by 15
“There is a wealth of evidence demonstrating a link between religiosity/ spirituality and positive mental health outcomes (e.g., Joshanloo, 2011; Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundBipolar Disorder, Religion, and Spirituality: A Scoping Review
Jackson, D., McLawhorn, D. E., Slutzky, A. R., Glatt, S. J., & Daly, R. W. (2022) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-022-01502-y · Cited by 19
“Following Koenig (2009), an interchangeable use of both terms in clinical discourse avoids a positive bias about “spirituality.””
BackgroundMethodHasanovic, M. I., Sinanović, O., Pajević, I., & Agius, M. A. (2011) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel2030330 · Cited by 16
“Eastern religions adopted this term much later, and then spiritual people were a subset of religious people whose lives and lifestyles reflected the teachings of their faith tradition [1].”
BackgroundInfluentialReligion and spirituality in clinical practice
Cook, C. C. H. (2015) · BJPsych Advances · doi:10.1192/apt.bp.114.013276 · Cited by 17
“Critical systematic reviews have been un dertaken that take the key methodo logical consid erations into account, notably by Harold Koenig and his colleagues (Koenig 2001, 2009, 2012).”
BackgroundExploring Mental Health Consequences of Childhood Abuse and the Relevance of Religiosity
Feinson, M. C., & Meir, A. (2014) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/0886260514535094 · Cited by 15
“Religiosity’s association with better health outcomes has been well documented (George, Ellison, & Larson, 2002; Koenig, 2009; Miller & Thoresen, 2003), including a meticulous 16-year Israeli study with considerably lower mortality rates in ultra-Orthodox compared with Secular kibbutzim (collective…”
BackgroundFernández, M. B., & Rosell, J. (2021) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-021-01442-z · Cited by 16
“There is extensive evidence of how religiosity protects against depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness (Bonelli et al., 2012; Braam & Koenig, 2019; Koenig, 2009; Krause, 2006; Litwin & Shiovitz-Ezra, 2010; Smith et al., 2003).”
BackgroundAssociation of Islamic Prayer with Psychological Stability in Bosnian War Veterans
Pajević, I., Sinanović, O., & Hasanovic, M. I. (2017) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-017-0431-z · Cited by 15
Panier, L. Y. X., Bruder, G. E., Svob, C., WICKRAMARATNE, P. J., Gameroff, M. J., Weissman, M. M., Tenke, C. E., & Jürgen Kayser, A. (2020) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.084 · Cited by 14
“Multiple studies suggest that the personal importance of R/S affords a protective mechanism for major depressive disorder (MDD; e.g., Koenig, 2009), presumably through psychosocial factors including greater social support and more positive appraisal of adverse life events (Koenig et al., 2001).”
BackgroundGeneralized anxiety disorder among adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Fuller‐Thomson, E., Carrique, L., & MacNeil, A. (2021) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.020 · Cited by 16
“The use of religion or spirituality as a coping tool can be effective for reducing symptoms of GAD (Kasi et al., 2012; Koenig, 2009).”
Giang, T.-V., & Huynh, V.-S. (2022) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103700 · Cited by 18
Matshipi, M. N., & Gama, B. Z. D. (2024) · Annals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger · doi:10.1016/j.aanat.2024.152315 · Cited by 14
Bekke-Hansen, S., Pedersen, C. G., Thygesen, K. A., Christensen, S., Waelde, L. C., & Zachariae, R. H. (2013) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/1359105313479625 · Cited by 14
“In 2000, more than 100 studies had addressed the relationship between religion and depression (Koenig, 2009) – an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality in heart patients (Barth et al.”
BackgroundGeneration to Generation: Passing on Religious and Spiritual Beliefs and Practices
Burr, B. K., Kuns, J. B., Atkins, L., Bertram, A. G., & Sears, K. (2015) · Journal of Religion Spirituality & Aging · doi:10.1080/15528030.2015.1007544 · Cited by 14
“Koenig (2009) suggests that the exacerbation of fear, guilt, and shame due to not “living up” to one’s religious beliefs and family background may be especially profound for the emotionally vulnerable.”
BackgroundExperience of parents of children with congenital heart disease: feelings and obstacles
Barreto, T. S. M., Sakamoto, V. T. M., Magagnin, J. S., Coelho, D. F., Waterkemper, R., & Canabarro, S. T. (2016) · Rev Rene · doi:10.15253/2175-6783.2016000100017 · Cited by 14
“It may be understood as the search of people for answers to important questions related to life and involves the sacred or transcendent, that is, an organized system of beliefs, practices, rituals and symbols, which are recovered and used in personal experiences of overcoming traumas(18-19).”
BackgroundReligion as Cultural Models: Developing an Emic Measure of Religiosity
Dengah, H. J. F. (2017) · Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion · doi:10.1111/jssr.12313 · Cited by 15
Tomita, A. M., & Ramlall, S. (2018) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-017-0551-5 · Cited by 15
Abernethy, A. D., Currier, J. M., Witvliet, C. V., Schnitker, S. A., Putman, K. M., Luna, L. M. R., Foster, J. D., Spencer, A., Jones, H., VanHarn, K., et al. (2018) · Psychology of Religion and Spirituality · doi:10.1037/rel0000233 · Cited by 17
“Results from 22 longitudinal studies revealed that participants who endorsed greater religiousness reported fewer depressive symptoms at follow-up assessments in 68% of this set (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundResultGıwa, S., Mullings, D. V., & Karki, K. K. (2020) · Journal of Gerontological Social Work · doi:10.1080/01634372.2020.1800885 · Cited by 14
Akanni, O. O., Olashore, A. A., & Oderinde, K. O. (2021) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2020.1870218 · Cited by 16
“Spirituality is private and subjective and has been linked to anxiety (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundMethodMisran, R. N., Khaiyom, J. H. A., & Razali, Z. A. (2021) · Pertanika journal of social science & humanities · doi:10.47836/pjssh.29.4.40 · Cited by 14
“For example, Koenig (2009), in his review paper, studied the relationship between religion, spirituality, and mental health and reported that 36 studies have found that higher religious involvements were significantly associated with lesser anxiety or fear.”
BackgroundFactors Influencing Military Personnel Utilizing Chaplains: A Literature Scoping Review
Layson, M. D., Leach, K. T., Carey, L. B., & Best, M. C. (2022) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-021-01477-2 · Cited by 14
Evidence of religious/spiritual singing and movement in mental health: A systematic review
Malviya, S., Zupan, B., & Meredith, P. J. (2022) · Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice · doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101567 · Cited by 18
Hasanovic, M. I., & Pajević, I. (2012) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-012-9643-4 · Cited by 14
“Some of this stems from confusing spirituality with religion (McKee and Chappel 1992, Koenig 2009).”
BackgroundFaith and Mental Health in an Oncology Population
Meisenhelder, J. B., Schaeffer, N. J., Younger, J., & Lauria, M. (2011) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-011-9497-1 · Cited by 15
Schuurmans-Stekhoven, J. B. (2011) · Social Indicators Research · doi:10.1007/s11205-011-9920-8 · Cited by 15
“However, conflicting results and dissenting views have also emerged (Aarnio and Lindeman 2007; Davies et al. 2001; Koenig 2009; Mochon et al. 2010; Schuurmans-Stekhoven J. B. Schuurmans-Stekhoven (&) School of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW, Australia e-mail:…”
ResultBentur, N., & Resnizky, S. (2010) · Palliative Medicine · doi:10.1177/0269216310380490 · Cited by 14
Attitudes of Muslim Physicians and Nurses Toward Religious Issues
Hafizi, S., Koenig, H. G., Arbabi, M., Pakrah, M., & Saghazadeh, A. (2013) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-013-9730-1 · Cited by 14
Self-citationSpirituality As a Coping Mechanism for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease
Reynolds, D. (2017) · Journal of Christian Nursing · doi:10.1097/cnj.0000000000000392 · Cited by 14
“For many patients confronted with chronic diseases, spirituality/religiosity is an important resource for coping (Büssing et al., 2009; Büssing & Koenig, 2010; Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundRubenstein, A., Koenig, H. G., Marin, D. B., Sharma, V., Harpaz‐Rotem, I., & Pietrzak, R. H. (2021) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.128 · Cited by 18
Self-citationSpirituality moderates the relationship between cancer caregiver burden and depression
La, I. S., Johantgen, M., Storr, C. L., Zhu, S., Cagle, J. G., & Ross, A. C. (2023) · Palliative & Supportive Care · doi:10.1017/s1478951523001785 · Cited by 13
Finances, religion, and the FAAR model: How religion exacerbates and alleviates financial stress.
LeBaron‐Black, A. B., Kelley, H. H., Hill, E. J., & Galbraith, Q. (2019) · Psychology of Religion and Spirituality · doi:10.1037/rel0000294 · Cited by 13
Tuffour, I. (2020) · Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1111/jpm.12589 · Cited by 13
Kedare, J. S., & Singh, D. (2014) · Journal of Geriatric Mental Health · doi:10.4103/2348-9995.152427 · Cited by 13
Defining and Measuring Spirituality in South African Specialist Psychiatry
van Rensburg, A. B. R. J., Poggenpoel, M., Myburgh, C. P. H., & Szabo, C. P. (2014) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-014-9943-y · Cited by 15
“…examined as constructs related to mental and physical health, and commenting on the difficulties regarding measuring spirituality in particular Koenig (2008, 2009) argued for the preference of ‘‘religion’’ as a measure for research as the construct’s definition, according to him, is generally…”
BackgroundThe Mental Health of Older Buddhists After the Wenchuan Earthquake
Wang, X., Wang, T., & Han, B. (2011) · Pastoral Psychology · doi:10.1007/s11089-011-0402-3 · Cited by 13
Berry, D. M., Bass, C. P., Fassler, C. S., & Succop, P. (2012) · Mental Health Religion & Culture · doi:10.1080/13674676.2012.715145 · Cited by 13
“Meta-analyses and reviews of the literature suggest a protective effect of R/S against alcohol misuse, suicide and depression (Hackney & Sanders, 2003; Johnston, Sheets, & Kristeller, 2008; Koenig, 2009).”
MethodSuicidal behavior among Turkish patients with Parkinson’s disease
Özdilek, B., & Gültekin, B. K. (2014) · Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment · doi:10.2147/ndt.s60450 · Cited by 13
The associations between religion, bereavement and depression among Hong Kong nurses
Cheung, T. C. C., Lee, P. H., & Yip, P. S. F. (2017) · BMC Research Notes · doi:10.1186/s13104-017-2588-7 · Cited by 14
“Religion and depression A growing body of empirical evidence suggests that having a religion is closely associated with better physical and mental health [4], in particular in inhibiting major depression and suicide [5].”
BackgroundBartonicek, A., Wickham, S. R., Pat, N., & Conner, T. S. (2021) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10690-3 · Cited by 14
Thompson, D. J., Weissbecker, I., Cash, E. D., Simpson, D. M., Daup, M., & Sephton, S. E. (2015) · Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback · doi:10.1007/s10484-015-9270-4 · Cited by 13
The journey of gestational surrogacy: religion, spirituality and assisted reproductive technologies
Fisher, A. M. (2013) · International Journal of Children s Spirituality · doi:10.1080/1364436x.2013.801831 · Cited by 13
“The angel metaphor is often used to describe a woman who engages in the gestational surrogacy process and is noted in writing about gestational surrogacy (Kirkman and Kirkman 1988; Teman 2010) and by other surrogates in this study, including Cecil above.”
MethodKannan, K., Pillai, S. K., Gill, J. S., Hui, K. O., & Swami, V. (2010) · South African Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v16i4.240 · Cited by 14
“Another problem is that while religious beliefs can be a source of comfort, hope and meaning, they can often be entangled with psychiatric disorders, making it difficult to determine whether they are a resource or a liability.(38) In trying to create an inclusive measure of spirituality and religiousness that would be…”
BackgroundThe Effect of Spirituality on the Subjective Recovery of Psychiatric Patients
ÖZ, Y. C., & Duran, S. (2021) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-021-01226-5 · Cited by 12
“Additionally, people who both received professional treatment 1 3 and participated in spirituality-based support programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous were found to be much more likely to remain sober than those having solely professional treatment (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundMcGee, J., Kelly, E. P., Kelly‐Brown, J., Stevens, E., Waterman, B. L., & Pawlik, T. M. (2021) · Journal of Cancer Education · doi:10.1007/s13187-021-02115-x · Cited by 13
“Over the past several decades, evidence has emerged to suggest a strong relationship between spirituality and health [1, 2].”
BackgroundMeasuring Quality of Life and Inequalities in South America
Tonón, G., & de la Vega, L. R. (2016) · Social indicators research series · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-28842-0_1 · Cited by 12
Is There More to Resourcefulness Than Personal and Social Skills?
Zauszniewski, J. A., Herbell, K., & Burant, C. J. (2018) · Western Journal of Nursing Research · doi:10.1177/0193945918790930 · Cited by 12
“Second, because the study participants rated their health as “good” to “excellent” on average, the findings may be limited to healthy persons who may rely on personal, social, or spiritual resources differently from those who may be less healthy (Koenig, 2009, 2015; Zauszniewski, 2016).”
Kelly, E. P., Hyer, M., Tsilimigras, D., & Pawlik, T. (2021) · Supportive Care in Cancer · doi:10.1007/s00520-020-05957-1 · Cited by 14
Kong, C., Campbell, M., Kpobi, L. N. A., Swartz, L. M., & Atuire, C. (2021) · Transcultural Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/13634615211000549 · Cited by 12
“And of course, communitarianism does exist within Western conceptual schemas, but not necessarily with the same ontological presumptions sur- rounding the person.”
InfluentialPagán-Torres, O. M., Rosario-Hernández, E., González-Rivera, J. A., & Martínez‐Taboas, A. (2021) · Spiritual Psychology and Counseling · doi:10.37898/spc.2021.6.1.133 · Cited by 14
“Since the 19th century, more than 3,300 studies have been conducted aimed to explore the impact of religion on health, showing that religion can positively and negatively impact people’s well-being (Bonelli et al., 2013; Braam & Koenig, 2019; Green et al., 2010; Koenig, 2009; 2012; 2015).”
BackgroundLassiter, J. M., O’Garro-Moore, J. K., Anwar, K., Smallwood, S. W., Burnett‐Zeigler, I., Stepleman, L. M., Sizemore, K. M., Grov, C., & Rendina, H. J. (2022) · Anxiety Stress & Coping · doi:10.1080/10615806.2022.2033235 · Cited by 13
“…has been associated with several positive mental health outcomes such as fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms (Brown et al., 2013), higher levels of honesty and responsibility which in turn were related to alcohol abstinence (Verghese, 2008), and lower rates of suicide (Koenig, 2009, 2010).”
BackgroundLemke, A. W., Davis, E. B., Voytenko, V. L., Cowden, R. G., Chen, Z. J., McConnell, J. R., Pargäment, K. I., Phillips, K. P., Marseilles, R., & Wolff, R. P. (2023) · Journal of Affective Disorders Reports · doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100640 · Cited by 15
Stresle Başetmenin Bir Boyutu Olarak Spiritüalite
Hi̇çdurmaz, D., & Öz, F. D. (2013) · DergiPark (Istanbul University) · doi:10.17049/ahsbd.80981 · Cited by 12
Büssing, A., Franczak, K., & Surżykiewicz, J. (2014) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel5020459 · Cited by 12
“[1–15].”
Faith, Folie à Famille, and Mummification: A Brief Review of the Literature and a Rare Case Report
Catanesi, R., Punzi, G., Rodriguez, W. C., Solarino, B., & Vella, G. D. (2013) · Journal of Forensic Sciences · doi:10.1111/1556-4029.12264 · Cited by 12
“By contrast, in the literature, a beneficial effect of religion on mental health has long been recognized (9,10), and religious practice has been described almost as a coping behavior (11).”
BackgroundPiacentine, L. B. (2013) · Western Journal of Nursing Research · doi:10.1177/0193945913479452 · Cited by 16
“The RBB-FP findings are congruent with studies showing that religiosity and depression are inversely correlated (Koenig, 2009).”
Everybody needs to believe in something: Spiritual beliefs of non-religious Czech adolescents.
Kráčmarová, L. K., Dutková, K., & Tavel, P. (2018) · Psychology of Religion and Spirituality · doi:10.1037/rel0000217 · Cited by 13
“This is a specific function of how spiritual beliefs may serve as a protective factor for mental health (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundHow Does the Death Conscious Culture of Iran Affect Experiences of Depression?
Mirdamadi, M. (2018) · Culture Medicine and Psychiatry · doi:10.1007/s11013-018-9597-4 · Cited by 12
“…thought that in religious societies, fear and anxiety towards death is considerably lower than non-religious societies (e.g. Soenke, et al., 2013, Koenig, 2009), due to the comfort gained through faith in the afterlife and the existence of a realm beyond the physical one inhabited during one’s…”
BackgroundImpact of Spiritual Meditation on Drug Addiction Recovery and Wellbeing: A Systematic Review
Kadri, R., Husain, R., & Omar, S. H. S. (2020) · International Journal of Human and Health Sciences (IJHHS) · doi:10.31344/ijhhs.v4i4.208 · Cited by 17
“4 Data items Outcome extracted from each studies were: (1) participant with drug addiction problems; (2) sample size; (3) intervention protocols such as type of intervention, frequency and duration of therapies or interventions or meetings, number of follow up if present; (4) instruments and outcomes measures and; (5)…”
MethodHafizi, S., Koenig, H. G., & Khalifa, D. A. (2015) · Pastoral Psychology · doi:10.1007/s11089-015-0648-2 · Cited by 12
“Studies, mostly conducted in Western countries within the Christian populations, have shown that, on the one hand, religion is a major source of comfort for people and is associated with better mental and physical health (Koenig 2009) and, on the other hand, negative religious beliefs may lead to depression and psycho…”
BackgroundSelf-citationSeemann, A., Drevs, F., Gebele, C., & Tscheulin, D. K. (2014) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi:10.1007/s10943-014-9880-9 · Cited by 12
Bateman, L. B., & Clair, J. M. (2015) · Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics · doi:10.1353/nib.2015.0065 · Cited by 13
Adams, G. C., Wrath, A. J., Le, T., Adams, S., Souza, D. D., Baetz, M., & Koenig, H. G. (2020) · The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease · doi:10.1097/nmd.0000000000001243 · Cited by 11
“In addition, conceptual debates and lack of consensus with respect to clinical approaches designed to address patients' R/S beliefs make interventions difficult (Baetz, 2013; Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundSelf-citationEksı, H., & Okan, N. (2021) · Bilimname · doi:10.28949/bilimname.845575 · Cited by 11
A Review of Immigrant Experiences during Trump Administration and COVID-19: Differences by Race
Rai, A., Held, M. L., Huslage, M., & Alawiyah, T. (2022) · Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work · doi:10.1080/26408066.2022.2113580 · Cited by 11
Trilesnik, B., Graef-Calliess, I. T., Stompe, T., & Fydrich, T. (2022) · Transcultural Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/13634615221107204 · Cited by 11
“Notably, two thirds of the studies reviewed by Koenig (2009) found less depression and half found less anxiety among the more religious compared to the non-religious.”
Halstead, I. N., Heron, J., Svob, C., & Joinson, C. J. (2023) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s003329172300079x · Cited by 11
“…(Bould et al., 2015; Dean et al., 2010; Jacobs, Miller, Wickramaratne, Gameroff, & Weissman, 2012; Jacobs, Talati, Wickramaratne, & Warner, 2015), and an individual ’ s religiosity is consistently, positively related to their own mental health in US samples (Braam & Koenig, 2019; Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundResultUnterrainer, . (2023) · Religions · doi:10.3390/rel14070882 · Cited by 13
All Creatures Great and Small: A Review and Typology of Employee-Animal Interactions
Quan, S. X., Lam, C., Schabram, K., & Yam, K. C. (2023) · Journal of Management · doi:10.1177/01492063231191090 · Cited by 14
“After all, religious scholarship has long high-lighted that ecstasy and agony go hand in hand (Jackson, Yam, Tang, Liu, & Shariff, in press; Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundThe differences in spiritual health between non‐depressed and depressed nurses
Hsiao, Y., Wu, H., Chien, L., Chiang, C., Hung, Y., & Peng, P. (2012) · Journal of Clinical Nursing · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2011.03962.x · Cited by 11
Does spiritual and religious orientation impact the clinical practice of healthcare providers?
Kelly, E. P., Hyer, M., Payne, N. G., & Pawlik, T. M. (2020) · Journal of Interprofessional Care · doi:10.1080/13561820.2019.1709426 · Cited by 13
“R&S are distinct but overlapping concepts (Koenig, 2009).”
BackgroundFitzgerald, M., & Berthiaume, K. (2021) · Journal of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma · doi:10.1080/10926771.2021.1912875 · Cited by 15
“In a review, Koenig (2009) found that spirituality was negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and substance use.”
BackgroundNurses' Use of Spiritual Practices in Caring for Self During the Pandemic
Hawthorne, D. M., & Barry, C. D. (2021) · Holistic Nursing Practice · doi:10.1097/hnp.0000000000000467 · Cited by 11
Moradi, N., Maleki, A., & Zenoozian, S. (2022) · BioMed Research International · doi:10.1155/2022/4295761 · Cited by 11
“Therefore, being connected with higher power and support from spiritual or religious sources can improve one ’ s quality of life, control mental health disorders, and create interpersonal support [10, 12].”
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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