Religious/Spiritual Well-being, personality and mental health: a review of results and conceptual issues

J Relig Health. 2014 Apr;53(2):382-92. doi: 10.1007/s10943-012-9642-5.

Abstract

The current paper provides background to the development of the Multidimensional Inventory for Religious/Spiritual Well-being and then summarises findings derived from its use with other measures of health and personality. There is substantial evidence for religiosity/spirituality being positively related to a variety of indicators of mental health, including subjective well-being and personality dimensions. Furthermore, religiosity/spirituality can play an important role in the process of recovering from mental illness as well as providing a protective function against addictive or suicidal behaviours. However, further research is needed to examine the mechanisms through which religiosity/spirituality have an impact on health-related conditions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Mental Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Personality / physiology*
  • Religion and Psychology*
  • Spirituality
  • Surveys and Questionnaires