Arjan W Braam1, Harold G Koenig2. 1. Department of Humanist Chaplaincy Studies for a Plural Society, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Emergency Psychiatry, Department of Residency Training, Altrecht Mental Health Care, Lange Nieuwstraat 119, 3512 PG Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: a.braam@altrecht.nl. 2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3400, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; School of Public Health, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750000, PR China. Electronic address: Harold.Koenig@duke.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many empirical studies have shown inverse associations between measures of religiousness and spirituality (R/S) and depression. Although the majority of these studies is cross-sectional, a considerable number of prospective studies have also appeared. METHODS: The current systematic review offers an overview of the major pattern of associations between the measures of R/S and depression / depressive symptoms in 152 prospective studies (until 2017). RESULTS: With on average two R/S measures per study (excluding measures of religious struggle, treated separately), 49% reported at least one significant association between R/S and better course of depression, 41% showed a non-significant association, and 10% indicated an association with more depression or mixed results. The estimated strength of these associations was modest (d = -0.18). Of the studies that included religious struggle, 59% reported a significant association with more depression (d = +0.30). Especially among persons identified with psychiatric symptoms, R/S was significantly more often protective (d = -0.37). In younger samples and in samples of patients with medical illness, R/S was less often protective. Studies with more extensive adjustment for confounding variables showed significantly more often associations with less depression. Geographical differences in the findings were not present. LIMITATIONS: Given the huge heterogeneity of studies (samples size, duration of follow-up), the current synthesis of evidence is only exploratory. CONCLUSION: In about half of studies, R/S predicted a significant but modest decrease in depression over time. Further inquiry into bi-directional associations between religious struggle and (clinical) depression over time seems warranted.
BACKGROUND: Many empirical studies have shown inverse associations between measures of religiousness and spirituality (R/S) and depression. Although the majority of these studies is cross-sectional, a considerable number of prospective studies have also appeared. METHODS: The current systematic review offers an overview of the major pattern of associations between the measures of R/S and depression / depressive symptoms in 152 prospective studies (until 2017). RESULTS: With on average two R/S measures per study (excluding measures of religious struggle, treated separately), 49% reported at least one significant association between R/S and better course of depression, 41% showed a non-significant association, and 10% indicated an association with more depression or mixed results. The estimated strength of these associations was modest (d = -0.18). Of the studies that included religious struggle, 59% reported a significant association with more depression (d = +0.30). Especially among persons identified with psychiatric symptoms, R/S was significantly more often protective (d = -0.37). In younger samples and in samples of patients with medical illness, R/S was less often protective. Studies with more extensive adjustment for confounding variables showed significantly more often associations with less depression. Geographical differences in the findings were not present. LIMITATIONS: Given the huge heterogeneity of studies (samples size, duration of follow-up), the current synthesis of evidence is only exploratory. CONCLUSION: In about half of studies, R/S predicted a significant but modest decrease in depression over time. Further inquiry into bi-directional associations between religious struggle and (clinical) depression over time seems warranted.
Authors: Noah T Kreski; Qixuan Chen; Mark Olfson; Magdalena Cerdá; Deborah Hasin; Silvia S Martins; Katherine M Keyes Journal: J Relig Health Date: 2021-08-20
Authors: Hélio José Coelho-Júnior; Riccardo Calvani; Francesco Panza; Riccardo F Allegri; Anna Picca; Emanuele Marzetti; Vicente Paulo Alves Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2022-05-12