The epidemiology of lost meaning: a study in the psychology of religion and existential public health

Abstract

The existential dimension of spirituality has proven to be of great importance over the last two decades when it comes to studies of self-rated health and quality of life. We see the positive effects it has on blood pressure, depression and life expectancy for chemotherapy and HIV patients, to mention just a few examples. In the public health sector, it is interesting to note that this existential/spiritual dimension had already been present in the early years when the term public health first came into the Swedish language. In the year 1926 public health was defined as ‘a people’s physical and spiritual health’. During the intervening years of major medical and scientific technical improvements in the field, the existential/spiritual perspective had been put aside, but now once again this dimension has come into focus. The central question is, how does the existential dimension of health, understood as a person’s ability to create and maintain functional meaning making systems, affect the person’s self-rated health and quality of life? The working theories and basic perspectives in this article are drawn from health research with attention to the existential dimension, public health from the perspective of the psychology of religion, and object relations theory.

Being on sick leave due to heart failure: self-rated health, encounters with healthcare professionals and social insurance officers and self-estimated ability to return to work

“…However, on the basis of existing knowledge about younger people being more depressed than older, and that the cause for this is considered to be losses and disappointments, the existential dimension can have a more prominent role than usually considered. This dimension includes losses and changes which affect fundamental aspects of life (Melder, 2011). In addition, it includes experiences of a threatened existence (Melder, 2011), which has been previously described by people living with HF .…”

“…This dimension includes losses and changes which affect fundamental aspects of life (Melder, 2011). In addition, it includes experiences of a threatened existence (Melder, 2011), which has been previously described by people living with HF . People who are forced into new and less active roles due to illness and sick leave can have difficulties in letting go of their previous self-image implying reduced self-esteem (Jansson & Bjorklund, 2007;Lannerstrom, Wallman, & Holmstrom, 2013).…”

“…These results also indicate that people who rated their health as poor or worse in comparison with other people of the same age received sickness benefit for longer periods of time than people who rated their health as fair or good. One explanation could be that long-term sick leave affects psychosocial conditions (Melder, 2011) which can hinder the patients from experiencing coherence, control or meaningfulness implying existential ill-being. In turn, the sick-listed person's perception of their general health is affected.…”

“…Perceptions of SRH and well-being are based on five interacting dimensions: physical, psychological, social, ecological and existential (Melder, 2011). All dimensions need to be considered in relation to people on long-term sick leave due to HF.…”

“When I feel well all over, I study and learn better” - experiences of good conditions for health and learning in schools in the Arctic region of Sweden

“…The WHO described eight existential dimensions of health associated with high quality of life: spiritual connection, meaning and purpose in life, experience of awe and wonder, wholeness and integration, spiritual strength, inner peace, hope and optimism, and faith [ 44 ]. These eight aspects are a way to explore thoughts, actions, and feelings as humans relate to different life situations in relation to themselves, their context, and personal beliefs [ 45 ].…”