Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Journal of Religion and Health 1/2010

01.03.2010 | Original Paper

Determining Relationships Between Physical Health and Spiritual Experience, Religious Practices, and Congregational Support in a Heterogeneous Medical Sample

verfasst von: James D. Campbell, Dong Phil Yoon, Brick Johnstone

Erschienen in: Journal of Religion and Health | Ausgabe 1/2010

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Previous research indicates that increased religiosity/spirituality is related to better health, but the specific nature of these relationships is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between physical health and spiritual belief, religious practices, and congregational support using the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality and the Medical Outcomes Scale Shortform-36. A total of 168 participants were surveyed with the following medical disorders: Cancer, Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Stroke, plus a healthy sample from a primary care setting. The results show that individuals with chronic medical conditions do not automatically turn to religious and spiritual resources following onset of their disorder. Physical health is positively related to frequency of attendance at religious services, which may be related to better health leading to increased ability to attend services. In addition, spiritual belief in a loving, higher power, and a positive worldview are associated with better health, consistent with psychoneuroimmunological models of health. Practical implications for health care providers are discussed.
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Astin, J. A., & Forys, K. (2004). Psychosocial determinants of health and illness: Integrating mind, body, and spirit. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, 20, 14–21.PubMed Astin, J. A., & Forys, K. (2004). Psychosocial determinants of health and illness: Integrating mind, body, and spirit. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, 20, 14–21.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Baskin, T. W., & Enright, R. D. (2004). Intervention studies on forgiveness: A meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling and Development, 82, 79–90. Baskin, T. W., & Enright, R. D. (2004). Intervention studies on forgiveness: A meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling and Development, 82, 79–90.
Zurück zum Zitat Berges, I. M., Kuo, Y. F., Markides, K. S., & Ottenbacher, K. (2007). Attendance at religious services and physical functioning after stroke among older Mexican Americans. Experimental Aging Research, 33, 1–11. doi:10.1080/03610730601005893.CrossRefPubMed Berges, I. M., Kuo, Y. F., Markides, K. S., & Ottenbacher, K. (2007). Attendance at religious services and physical functioning after stroke among older Mexican Americans. Experimental Aging Research, 33, 1–11. doi:10.​1080/​0361073060100589​3.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Brillhart, B. (2005). A study of spirituality and life satisfaction among persons with spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation Nursing, 30, 31–34.PubMed Brillhart, B. (2005). A study of spirituality and life satisfaction among persons with spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation Nursing, 30, 31–34.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Cohen, L., de Moor, C., Devine, D., Baum, A., & Amato, R. J. (2001). Endocrine levels at the start of treatment are associated with subsequent psychological adjustment in cancer patients with metastatic disease. Psychosomatic Medicine, 63, 951–958.PubMed Cohen, L., de Moor, C., Devine, D., Baum, A., & Amato, R. J. (2001). Endocrine levels at the start of treatment are associated with subsequent psychological adjustment in cancer patients with metastatic disease. Psychosomatic Medicine, 63, 951–958.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Colantonio, A., Kasl, S. V., Ostfeld, A. M., & Berkman, L. F. (1993). Psychosocial predictors of stroke outcomes in an elderly population. Journal of Gerontology, 48, S261–S268.PubMed Colantonio, A., Kasl, S. V., Ostfeld, A. M., & Berkman, L. F. (1993). Psychosocial predictors of stroke outcomes in an elderly population. Journal of Gerontology, 48, S261–S268.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Devins, G. M., Bezjak, A., Mah, K., Loblaw, D. A., & Gotowiec, A. P. (2006). Context moderates illness-induced lifestyle disruptions across life domains: A test of the illness intrusiveness theoretical framework in six common cancers. Psycho-Oncology, 15, 221–233. doi:10.1002/pon.940.CrossRefPubMed Devins, G. M., Bezjak, A., Mah, K., Loblaw, D. A., & Gotowiec, A. P. (2006). Context moderates illness-induced lifestyle disruptions across life domains: A test of the illness intrusiveness theoretical framework in six common cancers. Psycho-Oncology, 15, 221–233. doi:10.​1002/​pon.​940.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Devins, G. M., Dion, R., Pelletier, L. G., Shapiro, C. M., Abbey, S., Raiz, L. R., et al. (2001). Structure of lifestyle disruptions in chronic disease: A confirmatory factor analysis of the Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale. Medical Care, 39, 1097–1104. doi:10.1097/00005650-200110000-00007.CrossRefPubMed Devins, G. M., Dion, R., Pelletier, L. G., Shapiro, C. M., Abbey, S., Raiz, L. R., et al. (2001). Structure of lifestyle disruptions in chronic disease: A confirmatory factor analysis of the Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale. Medical Care, 39, 1097–1104. doi:10.​1097/​00005650-200110000-00007.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Ellis, M. R., Campbell, J. D., Detwiler-Breidenbach, A., & Hubbard, D. K. (2002). What do family physicians think about spirituality in clinical practice? The Journal of Family Practice, 51, 249–254.PubMed Ellis, M. R., Campbell, J. D., Detwiler-Breidenbach, A., & Hubbard, D. K. (2002). What do family physicians think about spirituality in clinical practice? The Journal of Family Practice, 51, 249–254.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Fetzer Institute/National Institute on Aging Working Group. (1999). Multidimensional measurement of religiousness/spirituality for use in health research: A report of the Fetzer Institute/National Institute on Aging Working Group. Kalamazoo, MI: Fetzer Institute. Fetzer Institute/National Institute on Aging Working Group. (1999). Multidimensional measurement of religiousness/spirituality for use in health research: A report of the Fetzer Institute/National Institute on Aging Working Group. Kalamazoo, MI: Fetzer Institute.
Zurück zum Zitat Fougeyrollas, P., Noreau, L., Bergeron, H., Cloutier, R., Dion, S. A., & St Michel, G. (1998). Social consequences of long term impairments and disabilities: Conceptual approach and assessment of handicap. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue Internationale de Recherches de Readaptation, 21, 127–141. doi:10.1097/00004356-199806000-00002.PubMed Fougeyrollas, P., Noreau, L., Bergeron, H., Cloutier, R., Dion, S. A., & St Michel, G. (1998). Social consequences of long term impairments and disabilities: Conceptual approach and assessment of handicap. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue Internationale de Recherches de Readaptation, 21, 127–141. doi:10.​1097/​00004356-199806000-00002.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat George, L. K., Larson, D. B., Koenig, H. G., & McCullough, M. E. (2000). Spirituality and health: What we know, what we need to know. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 19, 102–116. George, L. K., Larson, D. B., Koenig, H. G., & McCullough, M. E. (2000). Spirituality and health: What we know, what we need to know. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 19, 102–116.
Zurück zum Zitat Haley, K. C., Koenig, H. G., & Bruchett, B. M. (2001). Relationship between private religious activity and physical functioning in older adults. Journal of Religion and Health, 40, 305–312. doi:10.1023/A:1012561909054.CrossRef Haley, K. C., Koenig, H. G., & Bruchett, B. M. (2001). Relationship between private religious activity and physical functioning in older adults. Journal of Religion and Health, 40, 305–312. doi:10.​1023/​A:​1012561909054.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Idler, E. L., & Kasl, S. V. (1997). Religion among disabled and nondisabled persons II: Attendance at religious services as a predictor of the course of disability. The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 52, S306–S316.PubMed Idler, E. L., & Kasl, S. V. (1997). Religion among disabled and nondisabled persons II: Attendance at religious services as a predictor of the course of disability. The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 52, S306–S316.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Idler, E. L., Musick, M. A., Ellison, C. G., George, L. K., Krause, N., Ory, M. G., et al. (2003). Measuring multiple dimensions of religion and spirituality for health research: Conceptual background and findings from the 1998 General Social Survey. Research on Aging, 25, 327–365. doi:10.1177/0164027503025004001.CrossRef Idler, E. L., Musick, M. A., Ellison, C. G., George, L. K., Krause, N., Ory, M. G., et al. (2003). Measuring multiple dimensions of religion and spirituality for health research: Conceptual background and findings from the 1998 General Social Survey. Research on Aging, 25, 327–365. doi:10.​1177/​0164027503025004​001.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Johnstone, B., Yoon, D.P., Franklin, K.L., Schoop, L.H., & Hinkebein, J. Reconceptualizing the factor structure of the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality. Journal of Religion and Health, in press. Johnstone, B., Yoon, D.P., Franklin, K.L., Schoop, L.H., & Hinkebein, J. Reconceptualizing the factor structure of the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality. Journal of Religion and Health, in press.
Zurück zum Zitat Kabat-Zinn, J., Wheeler, E., Light, T., Skillings, A., Scharf, M. J., Cropley, T. G., et al. (1998). Influence of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction intervention on rates of skin clearing in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis undergoing phototherapy (UVB) and photochemotherapy (PUVA). Psychosomatic Medicine, 60, 625–632.PubMed Kabat-Zinn, J., Wheeler, E., Light, T., Skillings, A., Scharf, M. J., Cropley, T. G., et al. (1998). Influence of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction intervention on rates of skin clearing in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis undergoing phototherapy (UVB) and photochemotherapy (PUVA). Psychosomatic Medicine, 60, 625–632.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Kendler, K. S., Liu, X. Q., Gardner, C. O., McCullough, M. E., Larson, D., & Prescott, C. A. (2003). Dimensions of religiosity and their relationship to lifetime psychiatric and substance use disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 160, 496–503. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.160.3.496.CrossRefPubMed Kendler, K. S., Liu, X. Q., Gardner, C. O., McCullough, M. E., Larson, D., & Prescott, C. A. (2003). Dimensions of religiosity and their relationship to lifetime psychiatric and substance use disorders. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 160, 496–503. doi:10.​1176/​appi.​ajp.​160.​3.​496.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Kim, J., Heinemann, A. W., Bode, R. K., Sliwa, J., & King, R. B. (2000). Spirituality, quality of life, and functional recovery after medical rehabilitation. Rehabilitation Psychology, 45, 365–385. doi:10.1037/0090-5550.45.4.365.CrossRef Kim, J., Heinemann, A. W., Bode, R. K., Sliwa, J., & King, R. B. (2000). Spirituality, quality of life, and functional recovery after medical rehabilitation. Rehabilitation Psychology, 45, 365–385. doi:10.​1037/​0090-5550.​45.​4.​365.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Koenig, H. G. (2002). A commentary: The role of religion and spirituality at the end of life. The Gerontologist, 42, 20–23.PubMed Koenig, H. G. (2002). A commentary: The role of religion and spirituality at the end of life. The Gerontologist, 42, 20–23.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Koenig, H. G., McCullough, M. E., & Larson, D. B. (2001). Handbook of religion and health. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press. Koenig, H. G., McCullough, M. E., & Larson, D. B. (2001). Handbook of religion and health. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Magyar-Russell, G. M. (2005). A longitudinal study of sacred loss and desecration among adults in rehabilitation hospitals. Dissertation, Bowling Green State University. Magyar-Russell, G. M. (2005). A longitudinal study of sacred loss and desecration among adults in rehabilitation hospitals. Dissertation, Bowling Green State University.
Zurück zum Zitat McCullough, M. E., Hoyt, W. T., Larson, D. B., Koenig, H. G., & Thoresen, C. (2000). Religious involvement and mortality: A meta-analytic review. Health Psychology, 19, 211–222.CrossRefPubMed McCullough, M. E., Hoyt, W. T., Larson, D. B., Koenig, H. G., & Thoresen, C. (2000). Religious involvement and mortality: A meta-analytic review. Health Psychology, 19, 211–222.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Mokuau, N., Hishinuma, E., & Nishimura, S. (2001). Validating a measure of religiousness/spirituality for Native Hawaiians. Pacific Health Dialog, 8, 407–416.PubMed Mokuau, N., Hishinuma, E., & Nishimura, S. (2001). Validating a measure of religiousness/spirituality for Native Hawaiians. Pacific Health Dialog, 8, 407–416.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Moreira-Almeida, A., & Koenig, H. G. (2006). Retaining the meaning of the words religiousness and spirituality: a commentary on the WHOQOL SRPB group’s “a cross-cultural study of spirituality, religion, and personal beliefs as components of quality of life” (62: 6, 2005, 1486–1497). Social Science & Medicine, 63, 843–845. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.03.001.CrossRef Moreira-Almeida, A., & Koenig, H. G. (2006). Retaining the meaning of the words religiousness and spirituality: a commentary on the WHOQOL SRPB group’s “a cross-cultural study of spirituality, religion, and personal beliefs as components of quality of life” (62: 6, 2005, 1486–1497). Social Science & Medicine, 63, 843–845. doi:10.​1016/​j.​socscimed.​2006.​03.​001.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Moreira-Almeida, A., Neto, F. L., & Koenig, H. G. (2006). Religiousness and mental health: A review. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 28, 242–250. Moreira-Almeida, A., Neto, F. L., & Koenig, H. G. (2006). Religiousness and mental health: A review. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil), 28, 242–250.
Zurück zum Zitat Mulligan, T., Gunaratnam, M., & Martin, C. M. (2005). Religion and health: Does religious activity improve health outcomes? The Consultant Pharmacist, 20, 1025–1031.PubMed Mulligan, T., Gunaratnam, M., & Martin, C. M. (2005). Religion and health: Does religious activity improve health outcomes? The Consultant Pharmacist, 20, 1025–1031.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Nissim, E. N. (2003). The impact of spirituality on the quality of life of spinal cord injury patients. Dissertation, Fairleigh Dickinson University. Nissim, E. N. (2003). The impact of spirituality on the quality of life of spinal cord injury patients. Dissertation, Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Zurück zum Zitat Noreau, L., & Fougeyrollas, P. (1996). Evaluation of the concept of handicap: A measure of the life habits of individuals with a lesion of the spinal cord [French]. Canadian Journal of Rehabilitation, 10, 81–97.CrossRef Noreau, L., & Fougeyrollas, P. (1996). Evaluation of the concept of handicap: A measure of the life habits of individuals with a lesion of the spinal cord [French]. Canadian Journal of Rehabilitation, 10, 81–97.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Pargament, K. I. (1999). Religious/spiritual coping. In Fetzer Institute/National Institute on Aging Working Group (Ed.), Multidimensional measurement of religiousness/spirituality for use in health research: A report of the Fetzer Institute/National Institute on Aging Working Group (pp. 43–56). Kalamazoo, MI: Fetzer Institute. Pargament, K. I. (1999). Religious/spiritual coping. In Fetzer Institute/National Institute on Aging Working Group (Ed.), Multidimensional measurement of religiousness/spirituality for use in health research: A report of the Fetzer Institute/National Institute on Aging Working Group (pp. 43–56). Kalamazoo, MI: Fetzer Institute.
Zurück zum Zitat Pargament, K. I., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. M. (2000). The many methods of religious coping: development and initial validation of the RCOPE. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56, 519–543. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(200004)56:4<519::AID-JCLP6>3.0.CO;2-1.CrossRefPubMed Pargament, K. I., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. M. (2000). The many methods of religious coping: development and initial validation of the RCOPE. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56, 519–543. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(200004)56:4<519::AID-JCLP6>3.0.CO;2-1.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Pargament, K. I., & Rye, M. S. (1998). Forgiveness as a method of religious coping. In E. L. Worthington Jr. (Ed.), Dimensions of forgiveness: Psychological research & theological perspectives (pp. 59–78). Philadelphia: Templeton Foundation Press. Pargament, K. I., & Rye, M. S. (1998). Forgiveness as a method of religious coping. In E. L. Worthington Jr. (Ed.), Dimensions of forgiveness: Psychological research & theological perspectives (pp. 59–78). Philadelphia: Templeton Foundation Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Piedmont, R. L., Mapa, A. T., & Williams, J. E. G. (2006). A factor analysis of the Fetzer/NIA Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, 17, 177–196. Piedmont, R. L., Mapa, A. T., & Williams, J. E. G. (2006). A factor analysis of the Fetzer/NIA Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, 17, 177–196.
Zurück zum Zitat Rippentrop, E. A., Altmaier, E. M., Chen, J. J., Found, E. M., & Keffala, V. J. (2005). The relationship between religion/spirituality and physical health, mental health, and pain in a chronic pain population. Pain, 116, 311–321. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2005.05.008.CrossRefPubMed Rippentrop, E. A., Altmaier, E. M., Chen, J. J., Found, E. M., & Keffala, V. J. (2005). The relationship between religion/spirituality and physical health, mental health, and pain in a chronic pain population. Pain, 116, 311–321. doi:10.​1016/​j.​pain.​2005.​05.​008.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Sherman, A. C., Simonton, S., Adams, D. C., Latif, U., Plante, T. G., Burns, S. K., et al. (2001). Measuring religious faith in cancer patients: Reliability and construct validity of the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire. Psycho-Oncology, 10, 436–443.CrossRefPubMed Sherman, A. C., Simonton, S., Adams, D. C., Latif, U., Plante, T. G., Burns, S. K., et al. (2001). Measuring religious faith in cancer patients: Reliability and construct validity of the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire. Psycho-Oncology, 10, 436–443.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Sloan, R. P., Bagiella, E., & Powell, T. (1999). Religion, spirituality, and medicine. Lancet, 353, 664–667.CrossRefPubMed Sloan, R. P., Bagiella, E., & Powell, T. (1999). Religion, spirituality, and medicine. Lancet, 353, 664–667.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Stewart, C., & Koeske, G. F. (2006). A preliminary construct validation of the Multidimensional Measurement of Religiousness/Spirituality Instrument: A study of southern USA samples. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 16, 181–196.CrossRef Stewart, C., & Koeske, G. F. (2006). A preliminary construct validation of the Multidimensional Measurement of Religiousness/Spirituality Instrument: A study of southern USA samples. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 16, 181–196.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Thoresen, C. E. (1999). Spirituality and health: Is there a relationship? Journal of Health Psychology, 4, 291–300.CrossRef Thoresen, C. E. (1999). Spirituality and health: Is there a relationship? Journal of Health Psychology, 4, 291–300.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Thoresen, C. E., & Harris, A. H. S. (2002). Spirituality and health: What’s the evidence and what’s needed? Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 24, 3–13.CrossRefPubMed Thoresen, C. E., & Harris, A. H. S. (2002). Spirituality and health: What’s the evidence and what’s needed? Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 24, 3–13.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Treloar, L. L. (2002). Disability, spiritual beliefs and the church: The experiences of adults with disabilities and family members. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 40, 594–603.CrossRefPubMed Treloar, L. L. (2002). Disability, spiritual beliefs and the church: The experiences of adults with disabilities and family members. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 40, 594–603.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Underwood, L. G., & Teresi, J. A. (2002). The daily spiritual experience scale: Development, theoretical description, reliability, exploratory factor analysis, and preliminary construct validity using health-related data. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 24, 22–33.CrossRefPubMed Underwood, L. G., & Teresi, J. A. (2002). The daily spiritual experience scale: Development, theoretical description, reliability, exploratory factor analysis, and preliminary construct validity using health-related data. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 24, 22–33.CrossRefPubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Van Ness, P. H., & Kasl, S. V. (2003). Religion and cognitive dysfunction in an elderly cohort. Journals of Gerontology. Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences, 58, S21–S29. Van Ness, P. H., & Kasl, S. V. (2003). Religion and cognitive dysfunction in an elderly cohort. Journals of Gerontology. Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences, 58, S21–S29.
Zurück zum Zitat Yoon, D. P., & Lee, E. O. (2004). Religiousness/spirituality and subjective well-being among rural elderly Whites, African Americans, and Native Americans. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 10, 191–211.CrossRef Yoon, D. P., & Lee, E. O. (2004). Religiousness/spirituality and subjective well-being among rural elderly Whites, African Americans, and Native Americans. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 10, 191–211.CrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
Determining Relationships Between Physical Health and Spiritual Experience, Religious Practices, and Congregational Support in a Heterogeneous Medical Sample
verfasst von
James D. Campbell
Dong Phil Yoon
Brick Johnstone
Publikationsdatum
01.03.2010
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Journal of Religion and Health / Ausgabe 1/2010
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-008-9227-5

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 1/2010

Journal of Religion and Health 1/2010 Zur Ausgabe

Impressionistic Reporting

Pastoral Visit