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Religion, religiosity and spirituality in the biopsychosocial model of health and ageing

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Abstract

Religiosity/spirituality and the tendency to use these in coping are common in older adults. We review evidence that these are positively associated with mental and physical health in older adults, as well as evidence that members of different religious groups differ in levels of health. Studies on mental health include those that examine well-being and depression. Physical health outcomes include mortality, cancer, stroke, and physical functioning. We discuss the issue of causality and possible mediators of effects of religiosity/spirituality on health outcomes, paying special attention to possible psychological mediators. Last, we discuss possible differences in these associations between members of various cultural and religious groups, and caution that there may be theological problems with the use of religion to promoting health.

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  1. Institute of Personality and Social Research, University of California, 4143 Tolman Hall #5050, 94720-5050

    Adam B. Cohen

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  1. Adam B. Cohen
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  2. Harold G. Koenig
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Correspondence to Adam B. Cohen.

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Adam B. Cohen, Ph.D., is a social and cultural psychologist with his primary interest in the ways different religious communities shape their members’ views about religiosity, morality, forgiveness, and health. Dr. Cohen is currently an assistant specialist at the Institute for Personality and Social Research at the University of California, Berkeley.

Harold G. Koenig, M.D., M.H.Sc., is board certified in geriatric psychiatry and geriatric medicine, and is on the faculty at Duke University as an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and an Associate Professor of Medicine. Dr. Koenig is founder and director of the Center for the Study of Religion/Spirituality and Health at Duke. He has published extensively in the fields of mental health, geriatrics, and religion, with more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and 24 books in print or in preparation.

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Cohen, A.B., Koenig, H.G. Religion, religiosity and spirituality in the biopsychosocial model of health and ageing. Ageing International 28, 215–241 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-002-1005-1

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