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The neuroscience of spirituality, religion, and mental health: A systematic review and synthesis.

  • David H. Rosmarin(Author)
    ,
  • Caroline C. Kaufman(Author)
    ,
  • Stephanie Friree Ford(Author)
    ,
  • Poorvi Keshava(Author)
    ,
  • Mia Drury(Author)
    ,
  • Sean Minns(Author)
  • aDivine Mercy University
    ,
  • bSpirituality & Mental Health Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
    ,
  • cDepartment of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
    ,
  • dMeditation Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
    ,
  • eDepartment of Psychology, Divine Mercy University, USA
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 100-113 (14 pages)

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of Psychiatric Research (Volume 156)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 01/12/2022

Publication status

Published - 01/12/2022

ISSN

0022-3956

Abstract

Prior research highlights the importance of spirituality/religion (S/R) as it relates to several aspects of mental health and clinical interventions. This research has been expanded to include the concurrent examination of neurobiological correlates of S/R to elucidate potential biological mechanisms. However, the majority of neurobiological research on S/R has neglected mental health, and the relationship across all three of these domains (S/R, mental health, and neurobiology) remains unclear. This study systematically reviewed research concurrently examining S/R, mental health, and neurobiology, and rated the methodological quality of included studies. Eighteen identified studies were then included in an integrated literature review and discussion, regarding the neurobiological correlates of S/R as it pertains to depression, anxiety, alcohol/substance misuse, and psychosis. The majority of studies demonstrated moderate to high methodological quality. Findings highlight the need for additional studies in this area as well as research that includes validated assessment of S/R.

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