Angel Benson
April 13th, 2022
HSCI 715: Cultural Competency in Health Science
Seminar Brief II: Health and Healing Assignment
Foundations of Religion and Health
According to Spector, “Religion helps to provide the believer with an ability to
understand and interpret the events of the environment and life” (Spector, 2017). Religion and
health intersect on a physical, mental, and spiritual level. Theologists and researchers have
endeavored for quite a long time to comprehend the effect that religion can have on individuals;
both intellectually and physically, this includes health (Roberts,2019). Hence, there is more than
adequate reason to accept that faith in religion is related with health, and in a positive way.
Researchers from Mayo clinic reported, “Most studies have shown that religious involvement
and spirituality are associated with better health outcomes, including greater longevity, coping
skills, and health-related quality of life (even during terminal illness) and less anxiety,
depression, and suicide. Several studies have shown that addressing the spiritual needs of the
patient may enhance recovery from illness (Mueller, 2008).”
Interest in understanding spirituality has expanded on account of a developing
number of studies that have shown a relationship between increased religious involvement,
spirituality, and the overall improvement of health (Meuller, 2008). Religion, medication, and
health services have been connected somehow in all populations since the start of written history.
Recently, these methods of healing been separated. This has happened generally in profoundly
evolved countries; in many non-industrial nations, there is practically no such detachment. The
historical backdrop of religion, medicine, and healthcare in more developed nations of the West,
however, is an interesting one (Koenig, 2012). The very first hospitals in the Western
communities were built by religious associations and staffed by religious orders. All through the
Middle Ages and up through the French Revolution, doctors were much of the time church
(Koenig, 2012). For many years, religious organizations were in charge of authorizing doctors to
practice medicine. In the colonies, specifically, a considerable amount of the ministers were also
doctors- frequently as a second source of income to supplement the income they received from
church.
Religion and spirituality both advocate better behaviors in terms of health, and are
related with less alcohol and drug intake, less cigarette smoking, more activities and exercise,
better eating regimen, and safer sexual practices in by far most of studies that have analyzed
these connections (Koenig, 2012). A better way of life will bring about better actual physical
health and longevity. Alongside the assumed advantages of religious practices on health, religion
may likewise be related with adverse results, like mental and physical health, negative health
behaviors, and incorrect utilization of health services (Chatters,2017). Religious practices and
beliefs may likewise encourage general lifestyle behaviors of conduct that are unsafe to
wellbeing. Different religious teachings might restrict explicit operations and treatments and, in
outrageous forms, advance and support social deviancy and unusual behavior (Chatters,2017).
An example of this would be following a cult. Some religious practices may negatively effect
emotional states like guilt, disgrace, and uneasiness that reinforce negative perspectives on
oneself. These emotional states, perspectives, and convictions may have negative physical and
emotional health outcomes (Chatters,2017).
Religious, spiritual beliefs and practices are commonly utilized by both clinical and
psych patients to learn to live with illnesses and other life changes(Koenig, 2012). A huge
volume of research shows that individuals who are more religious or spiritual have better mental
and physical health practices and adjust all the more rapidly to medical conditions better than
individuals who are less religious or spiritual. These potential advantages to psychological and
physical well-being have physiological outcomes that impact physical wellbeing, influence the
risk of disease, and impact reaction to treatment (Koenig, 2012).
References
Spector, R. E. (2017). Cultural diversity in health and illness. Pearson.
American Bible Society. (1995). Holy bible.
Roberts, N. F. (n.d.). Science Says: Religion Is Good For Your Health. Forbes. Retrieved April
15, 2022, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolefisher/2019/03/29/science-says-
religion-is-good-for-your-health/?sh=2b36ed373a12
Mueller, P. S., Plevak, D. J., & Rummans, T. A. (2001). Religious Involvement, Spirituality, and
Medicine: Implications for Clinical Practice. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 76(12), 1225–
1235. https://doi.org/10.4065/76.12.1225
Koenig, H. G. (2012). Religion, Spirituality, and Health: The Research and Clinical Implications.
ISRN Psychiatry, 2012, 1–33. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/278730
Chatters, L. M. (2000). Religion and Health: Public Health Research and Practice. Annual
Review of Public Health, 21(1), 335–367.
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.21.1.335
