Spirituality and physical health: Identifying possible mediators utilizing the quadripartite framework of spirituality
Year: 2011
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to further understand the relationship between spirituality and physical health. Contrary to popular assumption, spirituality and religion do not relate to physical health in the same manner. In this investigation, although religious attendance was significantly related to physical health, spirituality was not significantly associated with physical health. In fact, religious affiliation was found to moderate the relationship between spirituality and physical health. The interaction suggests that there is a positive relationship between spirituality and ill physical health for those with no religious affiliation, but no relationship between spirituality and physical health for those with a religious affiliation. The Multidimensional Measure of Spirituality (MMS) is presented with evidence for its validity and reliability. Three factors were identified on the MMS (Affective, Cognitive-Behavioral, and Relational-Connective). The Relational-Connective factor was significantly associated with poorer levels of physical health. Possible explanations for the findings as well as limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
Author: Meghanne Reilly Sennott
Institution: Loyola University Chicago
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1560465932