Evidence for the influence of religiosity and spirituality on mental health

Abstract

Over the past few decades, research about the impact of religion and spirituality (R/S) on health has grown considerably. Mental health was a major area of focus in this field, producing solid evidence for the impact of R/S on quality of life, wellness, depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, and other mental health issues. To date, a large number of studies have been conducted showing that R/S beliefs and practices have an impact on mental health, albeit positive or negative. New studies have sought to elucidate how these findings can have an impact on clinical practice and R/S interventions have been proposed. It is also noteworthy that studies are currently deepening our understanding of the mechanisms underlying R/S effects, and attempting to adapt R/S values, virtues, and practices to a secular world. This chapter aims to discuss these studies further, highlighting the scientific evidence, proposed mechanisms, and possible interventions supporting the relationship between R/S and mental health.