WHAT IS RELIGIOSITY AND SPIRTUALITY? Impact Of Religiosity and Spirituality on Mental Health

Definition of Spirituality

Spirituality is defined differently by different researchers some of the definitions are; spirituality is how people identify and live their lives and also how they interpret their importance and value (Muldoon & King, 1995). Vaughn (1991) specified that spirituality was an experience of holiness. Vaughn defined spirituality as “a quality that goes beyond religious association, that struggles for motivations, worship, respect, meaning, and purpose, even in those who do not believe in any good” (Vaughn, 1991, p. 105 ). Meezenbroek et al. determined that spirituality was a motivation for a connection to self, others, nature, and the supreme (Meezenbroek et al., 2012).

The writers who identify spirituality as a general experience use the expressions “connectedness” or “relatedness” in the texts (Meezenbroek, Garssen, Berg, Dierendonck, Visser, & Schaufeli, 2012). There are many aspects of connectedness that are demonstrated differently in humanity. The validity, inner coherence, mindfulness, self-knowledge, and the explore the meaning and purpose of life are all aspects of connectedness to self (Chiu et al., 2004). Kindness, compassion, appreciation, and curiosity are aspects of connectedness to others and nature (Meezenbroek et al., 2012).

 Religiosity Definition 

A term Religiosity is used to explain practices that connect with holiness. The researcher explains religiosity as a trust in absolute power and using worship and guideline that fosters spiritual life. Poulin et al. defined religiosity as a contribution to social structures connected to religion (Poulin et al., 2011). According to Hill and Pargament (2003), religion is defined as mainly “institutional, formal, [and] outward” (Hill & Pargament,  2003).

religion is just love 

Koenig, Parkerson and Meador (1997) identified three measurements/dimensions of religiosity which were organizational, non-organizational, and intrinsic. The organizational aspect of religion focuses on how much individual participate in religious services(i.e. the free. commence of attendance to religious services) (Koenig et al., 1997). Non-organizational religiosity was categorized by the amount of time spent in private religious activities (prayer, meditation, worship, etc.). Finally, intrinsic religiosity is how people practice religion in their daily lives (Koenig, Parkerson, & Meador, 1997).

Impact of Religiosity and Spirituality Mental Health

Help in Effective Coping

Religiosity, in concerns to coping positively related to affect and lessen the amount of dysphoria afterward the stressful events (Poulin et al., 2011). Various theories support religiosity as a way of coping, One of religious practice i.e. religious involvement (the social aspect of religiosity) is a system of positive social support during times of adjustment (Poulin et al., 2011). Therefore going to mosques, churches, etc. can increase the interaction with society and community people.

Spirituality as a coping method might be understood differently. Spiritual identities may provide the explanatory aspect of adjustment (Poulin et al., 2011). Spirituality is like strategies to help individuals process traumatic events more effectively and in a shorter time period because they can confirm the traumatic events into a worldview (McIntosh, 1995; Poulin, Silver, & Holman, 2001). Spirituality helps in the cognitive development of an individual, i.e. how the event should appraise, improving self-control and decreasing the desire for control decrease the stress and improve the health (Poulin, Silver, & Holman, 2011).

Health Relation with Religiosity, and Spirituality

Researches has suggested that spiritual beliefs, practices, and commitments appear to be related with positive results like psychological and physical health/well-being; marital satisfaction and stability; affirmative interpersonal performance/functioning; and better/improved quality of life (Seybold & Hill, 2001). There is a positive correlation between religiousness and spirituality on physical and psychological health (Burris, Brechting, Salsman, & Carlson, 2009). Religiosity has been linked to lower incidents of mental illness, a more positive affect, and fewer instances of cognitive impairments in the three years after the tragic events of September eleventh, 2001 (Poulin, Silver, & Holman, 2011).

In a study conducted by Burris, Brechting, Salsman, & Carlson, it was found that religiousness and spirituality can be meaningfully associated with individual psychological health (2009). Psycho-spiritual interventions should be considered for treating mental health issues in university students (Burris, Brechting, Salsman, & Carlson, 2009).

Participation in Religious Activities provide Social Support

 Social support is usually provided in association with religiousism. Priesthood, care groups, and participation in social networks square measures all are all patterns of social supports inside religious communities (George et al., 2002; Ladd & McIntosh, 2008; found in Poulin, Silver, & Holman, 2011). Social support has been shown to improve health (Cohen, 2004; House et al.,  1988; Krause, 2006; found in Poulin, Silver, & Holman, 2011) and as a result, religiousism might predict health outcomes (Poulin, Silver, & Holman, 2011). As an example, it’s been found that regular divine service group action is joined to increase immune system effectiveness (Lutgendorf et al., 2004; found in Poulin, Silver, & Holman, 2011). Spiritual activities give emotional and ethical support, encourage healthy lifestyles, and are powerful ways of coping with negative things (George et al., 2002). Physical and psychologically sick patients will enjoy collaborating in spiritual activities (George et al., 2002).

Identity Development

Persons wish to know themselves relative to others, as well as about their experiences. Persons form self-identity built on many factors such as their personal history, opinions about themselves, and their future aspirations (Poll & Smith, 2003). An individual’s spiritual individuality (a belief that he or she is connected to God) can be seen as an active pathway to protect and restore psychological well-being (Richards & Bergin, 1997). The special effects of spiritual identity on resiliency are related to research adjacent to the benefits of a strong sense of personal identity (Poll & Smith, 2003). Healthy identity development in adolescents may help prevent depression (Koteskey, Little, & Matthews, 1991). Identity growth may also endorse a positive outlook and healthy self-esteem (Roberts, Phinney, Masse, Chen, Roberts, & Romero, 1999). Healthy identity growth has also been correlated with psychological security in adults (Pulkkinen & Roenkae, 1994). 

Life Satisfaction

The positive effects of religiosity, in both the social and educational entities, are appealing to the attention of many researchers. The application of a variety of the dimensions of religiosity to specific situations in everyday life is the subject of much research. Bergan and McConatha’s (2000) study of adolescents, young adults, and adults in later life established a small positive relationship between religiosity and happiness across all three age groups: “Overall, the results of studies examining religiosity and life satisfaction generally indicate that people who express stronger religious faith and involvement also report fewer stressful life events and greater life satisfaction” (p. 25).

Purpose and Meaning in Life

The religious association was found to be a significant predictor of general life satisfaction and a sense of belonging and purpose in life, as is specified in a number of studies, with recent studies concerning the benefits of religiosity by Dezutter, Soenens, and Hutsebaut (2006), Walker (2003), and Fontaine, Duriez, Luyten, Corveleyn, and Hutsebaut (2005).

Religiosity disturbs not only specific demographic groups but individuals as well. Beit-Hallahmi and Argyle (1997) wrote broadly about the individual sound effects of religiosity, which include: developing a sense of compassion, honesty, and altruism as well as happiness and quality of life, health, and mental health. Walker (2003) examined wide research which intricates many features of the crossing of religion and morality, concluding that the religious experience is important in moral functioning. A study by Roccas (2005) concluded that there is a high correlation between religiosity and values.