Religion, spirituality and mental health: results from a national study of English households
- Authors:
- KING Michael, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 202(1), 2013, pp.68-73.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Data collected from interviews with 7403 people who participated in the third National Psychiatric Morbidity Study in England were analysed to examine associations between a spiritual or religious understanding of life and psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses. Of the participants 35% had a religious understanding of life, 19% were spiritual but not religious and 46% were neither religious nor spiritual. Religious people were similar to those who were neither religious nor spiritual with regard to the prevalence of mental disorders, except that the former were less likely to have ever used drugs or be a hazardous drinker. Spiritual people were more likely than those who were neither religious nor spiritual to have ever used or be dependent on drugs, and to have abnormal eating attitudes, generalised anxiety disorder, any phobia or any neurotic disorder. They were also more likely to be taking psychotropic medication. The study concludes that people who have a spiritual understanding of life in the absence of a religious framework are vulnerable to mental disorder. (Edited publisher abstract)
- Subject terms:
- religious beliefs, mental health problems, substance misuse, eating disorders, spirituality;
- Content type:
- research
- Location(s):
- England
- Link:
- Journal home page
- ISSN online:
- 1472-1465
- ISSN print:
- 0007-1250