Religiosity/Spirituality and Mortality

Abstract

Background: The relationship between religiosity/spirituality and physical health has been the subject of growing interest in epidemiological research. We systematically reviewed prospective observational cohort studies of the association between this potentially protective psychological factor and mortality using meta-analytic methods. Methods: We searched general bibliographic databases: Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science and PubMed (up to 20 March, 2008). Two reviewers independently extracted data on study characteristics, quality, and estimates of associations. Random effects meta-analyses, subgrouping, and sensitivity analysis were performed. Results: There were 69 studies (28 articles) and 22 studies (11 articles) investigating the association between religiosity/spirituality and mortality in initially healthy populations and diseased populations, respectively. The results of the meta-analyses showed that religiosity/spirituality was associated with reduced mortality in healthy population studies (combined hazard ratio = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.76–0.87, p <0.001), but not in diseased population studies (combined hazard ratio = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.94–1.01, p = 0.19). Notably, the protective effect of religiosity/spirituality in the initially healthy population studies was independent of behavioral factors (smoking, drinking, exercising, and socioeconomic status), negative affect, and social support. We divided studies according to the aspects of religiosity/spirituality measure examined, and found that organizational activity (e.g. church attendance) was associated with greater survival in healthy population studies. Multi-dimensional aspects were related to survival in both the healthy and diseased populations. Religiosity/spirituality was negatively associated with cardiovascular mortality in healthy population studies. Conclusions: The current review suggests that religiosity/spirituality has a favorable effect on survival, although the presence of publication biases indicates that results should be interpreted with caution.

The Impact of Spirituality on Health

“…Thus, religious practices and acts of worship, especially at special times and in particular places, could lead to the regulation of the body's important physiological reactions (10). Experimental results have largely been compatible with the perspective that, through different mechanisms, religion is an important factor in preventing many diseases and the promotion of health (11,12). Gallup's opinion poll conducted in 1998 indicated that 60% of Americans reported religion to be of the utmost importance in their lives, and over 82% believed that they needed spiritual improvement, the survey thus confirming people's considerable concern with spirituality (13).…”

Measuring Religiosity/Spirituality: Theoretical Differentiations and Categorization of Instruments

“…A considerable number of quantitative studies have so far found religious/spiritual variables to be modestly but meaningfully associated with mental or even physical health and psychosocial adjustment [2,4,5]. However, the research results are not entirely consistent; null findings and even negative associations were shown as well.…”

Psychological resources in spinal cord injury: a systematic literature review

“…These results are in line with research with populations with other health conditions such as human immunodeficiency virus or Alzheimer disease or healthy populations. [120][121][122][123][124][125][126][127][128][129] Spirituality can be an important component in psychotherapy. [130][131][132] Beneficial effects of meaning making interventions on SE, optimism and self-esteem are reported.…”