Cited by 61Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologyWorkplace Spirituality and Leadershipscientometrics and bibliometrics research

Brazilian scientific articles on “Spirituality, Religion and Health”

Open access
Damiano, Rodolfo F., Costa, Lucas A., Viana, Marcos Túlio S. A., Moreira-Almeida, Alexander, Lucchetti, Alessandra L. G., Lucchetti, Giancarlo·2016·Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo)

Abstract

Background Studies on “Spirituality, religion and health” (R/S) have been increasing worldwide, including in Brazil. Mapping this production can help researchers to understand this field and also to identify gaps in the Brazilian R/S studies. Objective To analyze the Brazilian scientific articles on “Religion, Spirituality and Health” available on the main electronic databases using a bibliometric approach. Methods A comprehensive review of four major databases (PubMed, Scopus, BVS and Web of Science) was conducted. Three reviewers performed the data analysis. Off-topic articles, articles from Portugal, books and thesis were excluded. Articles were then classified by: Publication year, journal, Central focus in R/S, Academic Area, Main topic and Study Type. Results From 3,963 articles found, 686 studies were included in the final analysis (320 had central focus on R/S). There was an increase of articles in the last decade (most observational), with predominance of mental health issues, and from journals in the field of psychiatry, public health and nursing. Discussion This study enabled us to widen our understanding about how the field of “spirituality, religion and health” has been established and how this field is increasing in Brazil. These findings can help in the development of future Brazilian studies.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This bibliometric review maps Brazilian scientific articles on spirituality/religion and health, identifying 686 included studies, of which 320 (46.6%) had R/S as the central focus. It reports growth in the last decade, especially observational studies, with mental health, psychiatry, public health, and nursing prominent.

Key findings

  • From the search, 686 Brazilian articles were included in the final analysis; 320/686 (46.6%) had R/S as the main focus.
  • Publications increased over time: the first article was in 1973, with an “explosion” between 2003/2004; 2004 had five times as many R/S articles as the previous year.
  • Among all included studies, the most common study type was observational quantitative studies (47.7%), followed by qualitative studies (32.6%); among R/S-focused studies, observational studies were 37.8% and qualitative studies 33.4%.
  • Main topics among all articles were “Alcohol and/or Drug Use” (9.3%), “Quality of Life” (7.4%), “Sexuality” (3.8%), “HIV” (3.5%), and “Mental Disorders” (3.1%); among R/S-focused articles, the top topics were “Alcohol and/or Drug Use” (7.8%), “Ayahuasca” (5.9%), “R/S Scales” (5.6%), “Health Education” (4.4%), and “Sexuality” (4.1%).

Methods

  • Bibliometric analysis of four major databases: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and BVS, using the Boolean expression “(Spirituality OR Spiritual OR Religion OR Religiousness OR Religiosity) AND (Brazil OR Portuguese)”.
  • Inclusion criteria covered articles evaluating or discussing associations between spirituality, religion, religiosity, spiritual/religious practices or interventions, and health; exclusions included off-topic articles, articles from Portugal, books, theses, articles without abstract/inconclusive title, non-health articles, and redundant publications.
  • Three independent reviewers classified articles; intra-class correlation was 0.72 (95% CI 0.42–0.88) for the first 25 articles and 0.83 (95% CI 0.82–0.84) at the end of analyses; descriptive statistics were used.

Limitations

  • The paper states that some articles may not have been indexed in the searched databases, though most relevant Brazilian papers are indexed in at least one; BVS was included to help minimize this.
  • The paper states possible selection bias, addressed by using three reviewers and high intra-class correlation.
  • The paper states concerns about incomplete data from some databases, addressed by searching full-text versions. Evident from the text: the abstract reports 3,963 articles found while the results report 3,693; articles published in 2015 were excluded, so year-based trends end at 2014.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1590/0101-60830000000073

Cites

20 of 20 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 9 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Regarding only studies with central focus in R/S and Health, qualitative studies were the second most common type (33.4%).

    “Regarding only studies with Central Focus in R/S and Health, there was also a predominance of observational studies (Cross-sectionals, Cohort, Case-Control Studies) (37.8%) followed by Qualitative Studies (33.4%);”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingreasoning

    686 Brazilian articles related to spirituality, religion and health were included in the final analysis.

    “Hence, 686 articles, corresponding to all Brazilian production related to”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    320 out of 686 included Brazilian articles (46.6%) had R/S as the main focus.

    “From these, 320 out of 686 articles (46.6%) had R/S as the main focus (Table 1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In total R/S studies, qualitative studies were the second most common type (32.6%).

    “In the total R/S studies, the most common type of study was observational quantitative studies (Cross-sectionals, Cohort, and Case-Control Studies) (47.7%), followed by Qualitative Studies (32.6%);”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In Graphic 1B, analyzing only studies with central focus in R/S, there was a predominance of qualitative studies until 2011.

    “In Graphic 1B, analyzing only studies with central focus in R/S, there was a predominance of qualitative studies until the year of 2011.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 10
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 2
  • May combine two claims. 9
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Among articles with central focus in R/S and health,

    “Concerning only articles with central focus in R/S and health we found an important leading for”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    There was a slow increase in the number of Brazilian R/S and health articles over the years since 1973.

    “since then, a slow increase in the number of articles over the years can be observed.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Public Health holds the second place in both total and central focus R/S studies.

    “However, we also see an important amount of studies published in Public Health area, which holds the second place in both views.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    There was a constant increase in the number of Brazilian R/S articles until 2014, when there was a decrease, especially in articles with central focus in R/S.

    “which reveals a constant increase in number until 2014, when we see a decrease, especially in articles with central focus in R/S.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In 2012, there was an important increase in quantitative studies followed by an important decrease in qualitative studies in 2014.

    “In 2012, an important increase in quantitative studies is observed followed by an important decrease in qualitative studies in 2014.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    In relation to academic area, 30% of Brazilian articles were related with psychiatry and mental health, much less than the 80% found in a review of world publication on R/S and health.

    “In relation to the academic area of these articles, we found a relevant trend with 30% of articles related with psychiatry and mental health, much less than the 80% found in a review of world publication on R/S and health 3 .”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [3]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Psychiatry is the main academic area of Brazilian R/S and health studies, leading both the total of studies and studies with central focus in R/S.

    “As we could predict, the main area is Psychiatry, leading both the total of studies and also studies with central focus in R/S.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    There was an

    “It is noteworthy that there was an”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    There is a relationship between R/S and physical health, such as less hospitalization, better coping with the disease, better treatment adherence, more acceptance of therapeutic measures, and lower mortality rates.

    “Likewise, there is also a relationship between R/S and physical health, such as less hospitalization, better coping with the disease, better treatment adherence, more acceptance of therapeutic measures, and lower mortality rates [10][11][12] .”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [10][11][12]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    A meeting to discuss inclusion/exclusion criteria was held previously among all authors.

    “A meeting to discuss the criteria for inclusion and exclusion was held previously among all authors, including those who performed the review.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    Three independent researchers performed the review without contact during the analysis period.

    “Three independent researchers did the review without any contact during the period of analysis.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    R/S content has been included in the curricula of many universities (90% of US medical schools, 59% of British medical schools and 40% in Brazil).

    “Likewise, this content has been included in the curricula of many universities (90% of US medical schools, 59% of British medical schools and 40% in Brazil) 13,14 .”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [13]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [14]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    It is possible that some articles were not indexed in any of the electronic databases searched.

    “First, it is possible that some articles were not indexed in any of the electronic databases we have searched.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    There are concerns regarding incomplete data provided by some databases.

    “Third, there are some concerns regarding the incomplete data provided by some databases.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    There is a relationship between spirituality and mental health, usually showing lower rates of drug use, lower prevalence of depression and suicidal attempts, and better quality of life and well-being.

    “This relationship between spirituality and mental health has been widely demonstrated by many different authors over the years and all around the world [5][6][7][8][9] , usually showing lower rates of drug use, lower prevalence of depression and suicidal attempts and better quality of life and well being.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [5][6][7][8][9]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    For articles in which at least two out of three reviewers classified the same, the majority was selected.

    “For articles in which at least two out of three reviewers classified the same, the majority was selected.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Brazil is one of the leading countries in the field of

    “The field of”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    It is possible that some R/S studies were not included due to a selection bias.

    “Second, it is possible that some R/S studies were not included due to a selection bias.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    The field of

    “The field of”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
19 of 19
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No specific bibliometric analysis of Brazilian R/S production existed up to the present date.

    “However, even though we have identified some attempts to evaluate Brazilian R/S production 4,8 , to our knowledge, there is no specific bibliometric analysis up to the present date.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Most relevant Brazilian academic papers are indexed in at least one of the searched databases.

    “However, by large, most relevant Brazilian academic papers are indexed in at least one of the searched databases.”
2 of 2

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Research over the last decades has been growing substantially in the field of 'Spirituality and Health,' showing a significant influence of spiritual and religious beliefs on both mental and physical health outcomes.

    “Research over the last decades has been growing substantially in the field of “Spirituality and Health,” showing a significant influence of spiritual and religious beliefs on both mental and physical health outcomes (Damiano et al., 2016)”

    From Defining spirituality in healthcare: a systematic review and conceptual framework. (2021) · cites this paper as Damiano et al., 2016

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Conflicting initial search totals

    Minor

    The abstract says the search found 3,963 articles, but the Results section and its database counts give 3,693. This changes the reported size of the initial search.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Dalgalarrondo P. Brazilian studies on religion and mental health: history and current perspectives. Rev Psiquiatr Clin. 2007;34(1):25-33.
  2. Moreira-Almeida A. The growing impact of publications in spirituality and health and the role of Revista de Psiquiatria Clínica. Rev Psiquiatr Clin. 2010;37(2):41-2.
  3. Dein S, Cook CCH, Koenig H. Religion, spirituality, and mental health: current controversies and future directions. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2012;200(10):852-5.
  4. Assumpção D, Domene SM, Fisberg RM, Barros MB. [Diet quality and associated factors among the elderly: a population-based study in Cam- pinas, Sao Paulo State, Brazil]. Cad Saude Publica. 2014;30(8):1680-94.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Damiano, R. F., Costa, L. A., Viana, M. T. S. A., Moreira-Almeida, A., Lucchetti, A. L. G., & Lucchetti, G.
Affiliations
  • Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (BR)
  • Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (BR)
Venue
Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo)
Published
2016-02
Volume
43
Issue
1
Pages
11-16
ISSN
  • 0101-6083 (ISSN-L)
  • 1806-938X
OpenAlex
W2333579499
Cited by
61
References
20
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 2
FWCI
9.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Americanae (AECID Library) (publishedVersion)
  • LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • The Scientific Electronic Library Online (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Workplace Spirituality and Leadership
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty › scientometrics and bibliometrics research
Keywords
spirituality, religion and health, Brazilian research production, research trends, mental health, religious coping, research gaps

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