Mechanisms: Religion’s impact on mental health

Abstract

This chapter examines the genetic, psychological, social, behavioural, environmental, individual-level, and biological pathways that may help explain the relationship between religion/spirituality (R/S) and mental health. I use spirituality interchangeably with religion, since my use of the term ‘religion’ goes far beyond institutional religion—that is, it includes individual beliefs, practices, and intrinsic commitments related to the Transcendent. No doubt, there are many different ways that R/S might influence mental health in either positive or negative ways. Not only are there likely to be many pathways of direct influence, but also indirect effects that may be difficult to appreciate unless a comprehensive approach is taken. First, I briefly review research on the relationship between R/S and mental health, and then, having established a relationship, attempt to explain it by the multiple pathways noted above.