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Religious Affiliations Influence Health-Related and General Decision Making: A Brazilian Nationwide Survey

Author

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  • Marcelo Borges

    (PROSER, Programa de Espiritualidade e Religiosidade, Instituto de Psiquiatra, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-903, Brazil)

  • Giancarlo Lucchetti

    (School of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36038-330, Brazil)

  • Frederico C. Leão

    (PROSER, Programa de Espiritualidade e Religiosidade, Instituto de Psiquiatra, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-903, Brazil)

  • Homero Vallada

    (PROSER, Programa de Espiritualidade e Religiosidade, Instituto de Psiquiatra, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-903, Brazil
    Departamento & Instituto de Psiquiatria (LIM-23) HCFMUSP, Sao Paulo 05403-903, Brazil
    Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-903, Brazil)

  • Mario F. P. Peres

    (PROSER, Programa de Espiritualidade e Religiosidade, Instituto de Psiquiatra, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-903, Brazil
    Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-903, Brazil
    Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05403-903, Brazil)

Abstract

Approximately 90% of the world’s population is involved in some spiritual/religious practice, and this dimension has a relevant role in life. Many studies demonstrate the associations between spirituality/religiosity (S/R), and physical, mental, and social health. Systematic reviews have indicated positive associations; however, the mechanisms behind religious coping are not fully understood. The present study aimed to examine the role of religious affiliation in general (ordinary) and health-related decisions. A nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Brazil using a self-administered online survey. How much religious affiliation influences decision making was investigated. A total of 1133 participants were included, who were classified as Catholics (43.9%), Evangelicals (18.7%), spiritualists (12.8%), non-religious (11.9%), and others (12.7%). Most participants (66.5%) believed that their religious affiliations had moderate to high influences on their decisions. Participants rated the influence as high in marriage (62.7%), in donations (60.1%), in volunteering (55%), in friendships (53.9%), and in work (50.5%). Concerning health-related decisions, the influence was rated as high in drug use (45.2%), in accepting medical recommendations (45%), and in smoking (43.2%). The influence of religious affiliation on general decision making was significantly correlated for dietary restrictions ( r = 0.462), alcohol consumption ( r = 0.458), drug use ( r = 0.441), tobacco consumption ( r = 0.456), and refusal of medical recommendations ( r = 0.314). Improving the understanding of how a patient’s beliefs, practices, and experiences affect their health may help healthcare practitioners to take into account religious considerations, not only regarding influences on habits but also regarding adherence to medical treatment advice.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcelo Borges & Giancarlo Lucchetti & Frederico C. Leão & Homero Vallada & Mario F. P. Peres, 2021. "Religious Affiliations Influence Health-Related and General Decision Making: A Brazilian Nationwide Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-9, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:2873-:d:515110
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wilfred McSherry & Steve Jamieson, 2013. "The qualitative findings from an online survey investigating nurses' perceptions of spirituality and spiritual care," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(21-22), pages 3170-3182, November.
    2. Juliane Piasseschi de Bernardin Gonçalves & Giancarlo Lucchetti & Paulo Rossi Menezes & Homero Vallada, 2017. "Complementary religious and spiritual interventions in physical health and quality of life: A systematic review of randomized controlled clinical trials," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(10), pages 1-21, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nya John Ikpeme, 2022. "Choice of Healthcare Services and Religious Affiliation: A Case Study of the Apostolic Church and Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Calabar, Nigeria," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 6(5), pages 622-632, May.

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