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Mechanisms Behind Religiosity and Spirituality’s Effect on Mental Health, Quality of Life and Well-Being

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Abstract

This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the role of meaning, peace, faith and religiosity on mental health, quality of life (QOL) and well-being in 782 adults. We found associations between (a) meaning and peace with less depression and more QOL, (b) peace with less stress and (c) faith and religiousness with more psychological QOL. Meaning and peace were more strongly associated with health outcomes, and those with high levels of intrinsic religiosity but low levels of meaning/peace have worse outcomes than those with low religiousness and high meaning/peace. However, religious participants found great meaning and peace than nonreligious participants.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a Grant from Natura Innovation, Brazil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Albert Einstein Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil

    Mario Fernando Prieto Peres

  2. Advanced Research in Sciences of Wellbeing, Natura Innovation, Cajamar, Brazil

    Helder H. Kamei & Patricia R. Tobo

  3. School of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil

    Giancarlo Lucchetti

Authors
  1. Mario Fernando Prieto Peres
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  2. Helder H. Kamei
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  3. Patricia R. Tobo
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  4. Giancarlo Lucchetti
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Contributions

MFFP, HHK, PRT and GL designed and carried out the study. MFPP and GL conducted all analysis; MFPP and GL drafted the manuscript; all authors contributed to the execution of the study and approved the final draft.

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Correspondence to Mario Fernando Prieto Peres.

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MFPP and GL declares that they have no conflict of interest. HHK and PRT work at Natura Innovation, Brazil.

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Peres, M.F.P., Kamei, H.H., Tobo, P.R. et al. Mechanisms Behind Religiosity and Spirituality’s Effect on Mental Health, Quality of Life and Well-Being. J Relig Health 57, 1842–1855 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0400-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0400-6

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