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

Key to icons

  • Free resource Free resource
  • Journal article Journal article
  • Book Book
  • Digital media Digital media
  • Journal Journal

Give us your feedback

Social Care Online continues to be developed in response to user feedback.

Contact us with your comments and for any problems using the website.

Sign up/login for more

Register/login to access resource links, advanced search and email alerts