Journal of Religion & Health最新文献

{"title":"The Effect of Spiritual Interventions on Hope in Patients with Chronic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.","authors":"Vahid Yousofvand, Vahid Zamanzadeh, Shabnam Rasoulpoor, Naser Kamyari, Roghayeh Esmaieli, Mohammad Mehdi Forouzanfar","doi":"10.1007/s10943-026-02675-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10943-026-02675-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present study aimed to determine the effect of spiritual interventions on hope among patients with chronic diseases. This systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. International databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Science Direct, Google Scholar) and Iranian databases (Magiran, SID) were searched up to September 8, 2025, using the operators \"AND\" and \"OR\" without time restrictions. The inclusion criteria consisted of randomized controlled trials or clinical trial studies that examined various spiritual interventions to promote hope in adults with chronic physical illnesses. After removing duplicates, initial and secondary screenings were independently performed by two reviewers, and finally, a total of 18 eligible studies were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. A total of 18 studies involving 1410 participants (intervention = 708; control = 707), conducted between 2008 and 2024 across five countries, were included in the review. The interventions consisted of structured spiritual care, religious counseling, self-care education, and prayer. Hope was assessed using validated instruments, including the Herth Hope Index (HHI), the Miller Hope Scale (MHS), and Snyder's Adult Hope Scale (AHS). The majority of studies reported significant improvements in hope among participants in the intervention groups compared with controls, whereas only one study found nonsignificant results. Overall, the meta-analysis demonstrated a strong and significant effect in favor of the intervention group (Cohen's d = 1.90, p < 0.001). According to the findings, spiritual interventions effectively enhance hope in patients with chronic physical diseases. These results highlight the importance of integrating spiritual interventions into the care plans of such patients and underscore the need for further research on standardized protocols and long-term outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":48054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion & Health","volume":" ","pages":"4761-4798"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147976577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Facing Mortality: Spiritual Needs, Psychological Distress, and Death Anxiety in Hemodialysis Patients in Eastern Turkey.","authors":"Ebubekir Kaplan, Cemile Hurrem Ayhan, Mehmet Cihad Aktas, Huseyin Ataş, Fuat Tanhan","doi":"10.1007/s10943-026-02716-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10943-026-02716-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 131 patients undergoing hemodialysis in Eastern Turkey to examine levels of spiritual needs, psychological distress, and death anxiety, as well as the relationships among these variables and predictors of death anxiety. The participants reported mild levels of depression and stress and moderate levels of anxiety. The mean score on the Templer Death Anxiety Scale indicated a high level of death anxiety (M = 8.80, SD = 1.88). Spiritual needs, assessed via a contamination-adjusted measure, were positively associated with death anxiety but were not significantly related to depression, anxiety, or stress. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that spiritual needs significantly predict death anxiety even after controlling for psychological distress. These findings suggest that spiritual needs represent a distinct existential dimension in hemodialysis patients and play a unique role in shaping fear of death. Integrating spiritually sensitive and existentially informed care into hemodialysis services may help reduce death-related distress and support psychological well-being in this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":48054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion & Health","volume":" ","pages":"5049-5064"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13649850/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148346465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mild Cognitive Impairment, Religiosity, Spirituality and all-Cause Mortality Among Chinese Older Adults in Ethnic Minority Communities.","authors":"Mengyun Xiong, Wanrui Ma, Xue Hu, Yan Tong, Zhehao He, Qiuhui Lei, Harold G Koenig, Zhizhong Wang","doi":"10.1007/s10943-024-02149-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10943-024-02149-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The relationship between mild cognitive impairment (MCI), religiosity and/or spirituality (R/S), and all-cause mortality among older adults has yet to be clarified. The current study aims to examine this relationship using a longitudinal cohort from ethnic minority communities in mainland China. The Cox proportional hazards regression modeling revealed that MCI predicted an increased risk of all-cause mortality, and high R/S buffered this association. Those findings suggest that a religious-spiritual integrated community intervention program may reduce the mortality risk in older adults with MCI in ethnically disadvantaged populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":48054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion & Health","volume":" ","pages":"4902-4921"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142373257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Role Overload and Health Among Family Caregivers of Older Persons in the United States: Does Religious Attendance Matter?","authors":"Zhiya Hua","doi":"10.1007/s10943-025-02536-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10943-025-02536-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study adopted a cross-sectional moderation analysis to examine whether religious attendance buffers the negative effects of role overload on caregivers' health. A total of 1455 family caregivers of older persons (mean age = 63.05 years; 67.4% female) drawn from the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC IV) in the United States in 2021 constituted the sample and were measured by the three-item Role Overload Scale, a single-item self-rated health measure, the four-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4), and a six-item physical health scale. Caregivers, on average, reported moderate to high ratings of self-rated health (M = 3.43, SD = 1.03), mental health (M = 13.99, SD = 2.39), and physical health (M = 25.18, SD = 4.55). Additionally, 54% of caregivers had attended religious services in the past month. Regression analyses demonstrated that role overload was a significant negative predictor of self-rated health (B = - 0.188, p < 0.001), mental health (B = - 0.576, p < 0.001), and physical health (B = - 1.075, p < 0.001). Religious attendance significantly moderated the associations between role overload and self-rated health (B = 0.083, p = 0.004) and mental health (B = 0.176, p = 0.009), but not physical health (B = 0.213, p = 0.097). The findings highlight that religious or spiritual engagement may contribute to buffering the health consequences of caregiving-related stress. Health professionals and religious leaders should consider working collaboratively to promote religious involvement, integrate spiritual support into caregiver services, and develop community-based interventions that address both psychological and physical health needs of family caregivers.</p>","PeriodicalId":48054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion & Health","volume":" ","pages":"4922-4939"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145811684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tolerance to Office-Based Laryngeal Surgery and Perceived Change in Voice Handicap in Religious Leaders Compared to Patients Who Are Not Religious Leaders in Beirut, Lebanon.","authors":"Abdul-Latif Hamdan, Valerie Sarkis, Ghena Lababidi, Lana Ghzayel, Patrick Abou Raji Feghali","doi":"10.1007/s10943-026-02618-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10943-026-02618-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The objective of this study was to compare tolerance to office-based laryngeal surgery (OBLS) between religious leaders and patients who are not religious leaders, and assess whether the change in self-perceived voice handicap following surgery differed between the two groups. A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent OBLS between November 2021 and October 2025 was conducted. Religious leaders were identified and included. Controls consisted of patients who are not religious leaders and were matched by age, gender, smoking status, history of reflux, history of allergy, and type and duration of procedure. Patient tolerance was measured using the Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia Scale (IOWA). Self-perceived voice handicap was evaluated using the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) score. A total of 86 patients were included in the study, 43 religious leaders and 43 patients who are not religious leaders. The mean age of the religious leaders was 44.79 ± 12.81. There were no statistically significant differences in demographic and relevant health variables between religious leaders and patients who are not religious leaders. In religious leaders, the mean IOWA score was significantly higher than in controls (2.33 ± 1.10 vs. 1.79 ± 1.38, respectively, p = 0.007). There was a low positive, significant correlation between religious status and IOWA score (r = 0.291, p = 0.007). Although religious leaders demonstrated a greater mean improvement in VHI-10 scores postoperatively compared to patients who are not religious leaders, this difference was not statistically significant (- 9.33 ± 8.68 and - 7.64 ± 8.66, respectively; p = 0.623). Religious leaders had significantly higher tolerance scores to OBLS compared to patients who are not religious leaders. There was a low positive correlation between religious status and tolerance score. A prospective study incorporating validated religiosity scales is needed to better quantify this relationship.</p>","PeriodicalId":48054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion & Health","volume":" ","pages":"4727-4739"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147505230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Relationship Between Loneliness and Religious Coping With Self-Stigmatization in Caregivers of Children with Chronic Illnesses in Türkiye.","authors":"Nagihan Sabaz, Emre Ciydem","doi":"10.1007/s10943-026-02640-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10943-026-02640-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to examine the relationships among religious coping, loneliness, and self-stigmatization in caregivers of children with chronic illnesses. This study employed a cross-sectional and correlational design. The sample consisted of 500 caregivers of children receiving treatment for chronic illnesses at a private medical center between March 1 and July 10, 2025. The data were analyzed via hierarchical linear regression. Loneliness and religious coping explained 26% of the variance in self-stigmatization. A one-unit increase in negative religious coping led to a 0.815-unit increase in self-stigmatization (p < 0.001). The effect of positive religious coping on self-stigmatization was not statistically significant (p = 0.113). Similarly, a one-unit increase in caregivers' loneliness level resulted in a 1.372-unit increase in self-stigmatization (p < 0.001). There was a significant positive relationship between loneliness and self-stigmatization, as well as between negative religious coping and self-stigmatization. These findings highlight the importance of implementing psychosocial interventions to reduce self-stigmatization in caregivers of children with chronic illnesses, particularly by addressing loneliness and negative religious coping.</p>","PeriodicalId":48054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion & Health","volume":" ","pages":"4869-4885"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147515872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Stress and Anxiety Profile of Clergymen with Voice Disorders in Türkiye.","authors":"Emel Arslan-Sarımehmetoğlu, Elife Barmak","doi":"10.1007/s10943-026-02638-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10943-026-02638-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to evaluate stress and anxiety levels in Islamic clergymen with and without voice disorders. The study design was comparative and descriptive, and included 100 Islamic clergymen, of whom 47 (mean age: 42.00 ± 7.76 years) had a diagnosed voice disorder and 53 (mean age: 38.72 ± 10.18 years) did not. All participants read and digitally approved an informed consent form outlining the study purpose and their rights. Demographic and occupational data, including age, gender, years of professional experience, and medical history, were collected. The Voice Handicap Index for Islamic Clergymen (CVHI) and the Integrated Anxiety-Stress Scale (IASS) were administered via a web-based platform. Participants were classified into two groups based on the presence or absence of a voice disorder. Clergymen with voice disorders reported significantly higher stress levels on the IASS compared to those without voice disorders. Additionally, scores on the physical-functional and emotional subscales, as well as the total CVHI score, were significantly higher in the voice disorder group. A strong positive correlation was observed between IASS and CVHI scores. These findings indicate that Islamic clergymen with voice disorders experience greater difficulties in fulfilling their professional duties, with voice problems exerting a negative physical-functional and emotional impact. The results further suggest that these individuals are more likely to experience elevated stress and anxiety, possibly due to the occupational and personal consequences of impaired vocal performance in this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":48054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion & Health","volume":" ","pages":"4713-4726"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147624278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Religious, Spiritual, and Cultural Influences of Dysphagia in the USA.","authors":"Emily J Helder, Elizabeth Oommen, Natalie Bekmetjev, Abigail Mosher, Laura Schipper, Stacia Hoeksema, Katie Georges, Maddie Willemstein, Anna Bierma, Emily Cameron","doi":"10.1007/s10943-025-02477-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10943-025-02477-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dysphagia, difficulty with swallowing, affects approximately 16% of US adults and can result from conditions such as stroke, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancer. Despite growing emphasis on the intersection of religion/spirituality (R/S) and health, little research has examined these connections in dysphagia. This qualitative study explored the impact of dysphagia on engagement in R/S rituals and communities and access to cultural food traditions. It also examined ways that R/S beliefs shaped coping practices in persons with dysphagia and their caregivers. Data were gathered through focus group sessions as a part of an interprofessional support group. Participants' dysphagia symptoms were caused by a variety of conditions including cancer, Parkinson's disease, and cervical surgery. Thematic analysis revealed that dysphagia limited participants' ability to participate in religious rituals (e.g., communion), attend faith-based social events, and consume cultural foods. At the same time, themes from the focus groups highlighted the role of R/S in fostering resilience, gratitude, and meaning-making in the context of disability. R/S communities were also identified as crucial sources of support. Caregivers emphasized that their religious beliefs guided their caregiving roles and decisions. These findings underscore the need for holistic, person- and family-centered care that incorporates R/S assessment and intervention. This study contributes to the growing literature advocating for the integration of R/S dimensions into dysphagia, highlighting both challenges and opportunities for enhancing well-being in the face of chronic illness.</p>","PeriodicalId":48054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion & Health","volume":" ","pages":"4968-4981"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145276131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcendent Spirituality and Psychological Flexibility Among Adults on the Autism Spectrum in the United States.","authors":"Heather H Kelley, Ty B Aller","doi":"10.1007/s10943-025-02448-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10943-025-02448-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Using structural equation modeling to analyze two waves of longitudinal data from 306 adults on the autism spectrum in the USA, we assessed whether transcendent spirituality (feeling connected to a higher being) was associated with psychological flexibility (the ability to respond to uncomfortable internal sensations in a flexible, values-driven manner), psychological inflexibility, and satisfaction with life over a 10-week period. While we identified no significant associations between transcendent spirituality and psychological inflexibility, we found that spirituality was longitudinally associated with psychological flexibility and satisfaction with life. Psychological flexibility mediated the association between spirituality and satisfaction with life. Implications are offered.</p>","PeriodicalId":48054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion & Health","volume":" ","pages":"4982-4997"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13649797/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145126306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reframing Obesity as Collective Vulnerability in Black Churches in The USA: Implications for Clergy Leadership, Health Equity, and Pastoral Identity.","authors":"Linda Carper, Naa-Solo Tettey, Harold Griffin","doi":"10.1007/s10943-026-02673-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10943-026-02673-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and intensified longstanding racial health inequities in the USA, disproportionately affecting African American communities with high burdens of chronic disease. This study examines how African American clergy in Houston, Texas, interpreted and responded to the convergence of COVID-19 and obesity-related vulnerability within their congregations, and how these conditions reshaped theological meaning, pastoral identity, and health-related leadership within Black church contexts. Using a hermeneutic interpretive phenomenological approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten Protestant clergy engaged in health-related ministry during the pandemic. Findings indicated that clergy experienced COVID-19 not only as a public health crisis but as a theological disruption that reshaped pastoral priorities. Four interrelated patterns emerged: Obesity was reframed from a lifestyle issue to a matter of survival and collective vulnerability; clergy became more aware of embodied vulnerability; health engagement accelerated in response to congregational loss; and clergy expanded their role as trusted interpreters of public health information amid medical mistrust. Chronic disease prevention shifted from a secondary activity to a core dimension of pastoral identity. Although behavioral concepts such as decision-making and confidence were evident, they were shaped by theological meaning, moral responsibility, and commitment to the congregation. These findings suggest that crisis conditions can transform how health is understood and addressed within Black churches. Efforts to reduce chronic disease disparities and advance health equity should engage faith institutions not only as partners in outreach but as central contributors to how health meaning is formed within communities shaped by structural inequity.</p>","PeriodicalId":48054,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Religion & Health","volume":" ","pages":"4435-4461"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13649855/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147785730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}