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Religiosity and Mental Health: A Contribution to Understanding the Heterogeneity of Research Findings

Author

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  • Klara Malinakova

    (Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacký University Olomouc, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic)

  • Peter Tavel

    (Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacký University Olomouc, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic)

  • Zdenek Meier

    (Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacký University Olomouc, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic)

  • Jitse P. van Dijk

    (Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacký University Olomouc, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic
    Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
    Graduate School Kosice Institute for Society and Health, P.J. Safarik University in Kosice, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia
    Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University in Olomouc, 771 47 Olomouc, Czech Republic)

  • Sijmen A. Reijneveld

    (Department of Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Most studies report positive associations between religiosity and spirituality and aspects of mental health, while a small proportion report mixed or fully negative associations. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of religiosity measured more specifically, with mental health in a secular environment, using a nationally representative sample of Czech adults ( n = 1795). We measured religious affiliation, conversion experience, non-religious attitudes and the stability of these attitudes, mental health problems, and anxiety levels. Compared to stable non-religious respondents, unstable non-religious and converted respondents who perceived God as distant were more likely to experience anxiety in close relationships, and had higher risks of worse mental health. Our findings support the idea that the heterogeneity of findings in associations between religiosity/spirituality and mental health could be due to measurement problems and variation in the degree of secularity. A shift towards religiosity could be expected to be seen in a substantial part of non-religious respondents in problematic times.

Suggested Citation

  • Klara Malinakova & Peter Tavel & Zdenek Meier & Jitse P. van Dijk & Sijmen A. Reijneveld, 2020. "Religiosity and Mental Health: A Contribution to Understanding the Heterogeneity of Research Findings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:2:p:494-:d:308145
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Emma Motrico & Jose A. Salinas-Perez & Maria Luisa Rodero-Cosano & Sonia Conejo-Cerón, 2021. "Editors’ Comments on the Special Issue “Social Determinants of Mental Health”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-9, April.
    2. Alice Kosarkova & Klara Malinakova & Jitse P. van Dijk & Peter Tavel, 2020. "Childhood Trauma and Experience in Close Relationships Are Associated with the God Image: Does Religiosity Make a Difference?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-13, November.
    3. Dana Jaksicova & Lukas Novak & Vit Husek & Peter Tavel & Klara Malinakova, 2021. "Czech and Slovak Members of Religious Institutes: Their Health in Comparison to the General Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Marie Buchtova & Klara Malinakova & Jitse P. Dijk & Vit Husek & Peter Tavel, 2024. "Sensory processing sensitivity is associated with religiosity and spirituality," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
    5. Samuel Ken-En Gan & Sibyl Weang-Yi Wong & Peng-De Jiao, 2023. "Religiosity, Theism, Perceived Social Support, Resilience, and Well-Being of University Undergraduate Students in Singapore during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.
    6. Aline Pouille & Lore Bellaert & Freya Vander Laenen & Wouter Vanderplasschen, 2021. "Recovery Capital among Migrants and Ethnic Minorities in Recovery from Problem Substance Use: An Analysis of Lived Experiences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-17, December.
    7. Jan Sandora & Lukas Novak & Robert Brnka & Jitse P. van Dijk & Peter Tavel & Klara Malinakova, 2021. "The Abbreviated Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) and the Abbreviated Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale (ODSIS): Psychometric Properties and Evaluation of the Czech ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, September.

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