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8 September 2026

Spirituality and Mental Health Across the Lifespan: Implications for Psychological Well-Being and Access to Mental Health Care

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1
Doctoral School, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Târgu-Mureș, Romania
2
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Psychiatry Int.2026, 7(5), 203;https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7050203
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Abstract

Mental health is shaped by multiple psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual factors. This narrative review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the relationship between spirituality, religiosity, and mental health across the lifespan, with particular emphasis on psychological well-being, coping, resilience, and help-seeking behaviors, while considering both beneficial and potentially adverse associations. A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Studies published between 2000 and 2026 were screened according to predefined eligibility criteria. A total of 52 publications, including quantitative and qualitative studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and narrative reviews, were included. The evidence was synthesized according to three life stages (childhood and adolescence, adulthood, and older adulthood), with an additional section examining help-seeking behaviors and access to mental health care across the lifespan. The reviewed evidence identified both beneficial and adverse mental health outcomes in relation to spirituality and religiosity. Beneficial outcomes included lower levels of depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidal behaviors, as well as higher levels of resilience, emotional support, and life satisfaction. In contrast, negative religious coping and spiritual struggles were associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety, as well as delayed help-seeking behavior. Overall, the findings varied across study designs, populations, and cultural contexts. Spirituality and religiosity can influence mental health in both positive and negative ways throughout life. Understanding these relationships may help support more sensitive and individualized approaches to mental health care.

1. Introduction

Mental health disorders represent a leading cause of global disease burden, significantly affecting quality of life, functional capacity, and overall well-being across populations [1,2]. The relationship between religion, medicine, and healthcare has been recognized throughout history, and in recent decades researchers have become more interested in the role that spirituality and religiosity may play in emotional well-being [3].
Spirituality is generally understood as a broad concept related to the search for meaning, purpose, and connection with oneself, others, nature, or a higher power, while religiosity usually refers to organized beliefs and practices within religious institutions [4,5].
Although spirituality and religiosity are distinct constructs, they are closely related and frequently examined together in the literature. Throughout this review, these concepts are distinguished whenever the original studies allow. The terminology used follows that of the original publications whenever possible, as some studies focus primarily on spirituality, others on religiosity, while others examine both constructs simultaneously. In studies that assessed or reported these concepts jointly, the term “spirituality and religiosity” is used to accurately reflect the original evidence.
The available evidence suggests that spirituality and religiosity are associated with adaptive coping strategies [6], greater emotional regulation [7], and increased resilience in the face of stress and adversity [6,8]. Furthermore, several studies have reported associations between higher levels of spirituality and intrinsic religiosity and lower rates of depression [9,10], anxiety [7], and substance use [3], as well as enhanced life satisfaction and meaning in life [11]. However, these findings are heterogeneous and appear to vary according to cultural context, study population, and the dimensions of religiosity assessed.
There is some evidence that religious involvement is associated with greater longevity, suggesting a potential protective role of spirituality and religiosity in long-term health outcomes [12]. This association may be explained by a combination of behavioral, social, and psychological factors, including healthier lifestyle choices, stronger social support networks, and enhanced emotional well-being, which may contribute to reduced morbidity and mortality [12].
Pargament’s model distinguishes between positive and negative religious coping, highlighting that religious coping is a multidimensional construct with potentially different implications for mental health. Positive religious coping includes strategies such as seeking spiritual support, finding meaning in stressful life events, and strengthening one’s relationship with God, whereas negative religious coping is characterized by spiritual struggles, feelings of abandonment or punishment by God, and religious discontent [13].
In line with Pargament’s model, negative religious coping and spiritual struggle have been associated with increased depression, psychological distress, and poorer adjustment to stress [13,14].
In addition, spirituality and religiosity may influence help-seeking behaviors in different ways. In some contexts, individuals may rely on informal or faith-based sources of support or interpret mental health problems within a spiritual framework, which may delay contact with professional mental health services [15]. However, in other religious and cultural settings, spiritual communities and religious leaders may encourage timely access to professional care [16].
The influence of spirituality on mental health is not static but varies across lifespan. During childhood and adolescence, spiritual beliefs are often shaped by family and community contexts and may contribute to identity formation and behavioral regulation [17,18].
In adulthood, spirituality may function as a resource for coping with occupational stress [19], relational challenges [11], and existential concerns related to meaning, identity, and purpose in life [20].
In older adulthood, spirituality and religiosity may play a more prominent role in everyday life for many individuals, although this varies across cultural and social contexts, by supporting individuals in dealing with loss, chronic illness, and mortality [21] while also promoting acceptance, emotional stability [22] and adaptation to age-related health challenges [12].
Despite this growing interest, the existing literature remains fragmented in several respects. First, many studies focus on specific age groups, limiting the understanding of how spirituality interacts with mental health across the lifespan.
Second, research often emphasizes psychological outcomes while overlooking structural and systemic factors, particularly access to mental health care. Spiritual beliefs and practices can both encourage and discourage help-seeking behaviors; they can influence attitudes toward mental illness, stigma, and preferences for informal support or professional mental health care [15,23].
With this background, the present review aims to provide an overview of the relationship between spirituality and mental health across the lifespan, with a particular focus on psychological well-being and the ways spiritual beliefs may influence emotional coping and adaptation during different stages of life.
By exploring both the positive and negative effects of spirituality and religiosity, this paper aims to offer a more balanced understanding of how these factors may influence mental health. The review also discusses how spiritual beliefs can shape attitudes toward mental illness and mental health care, and it outlines possible implications for research and clinical practice as well as directions for future studies.

2. Materials and Methods

This study was conducted as a narrative review to synthesize existing evidence on the relationship between spirituality, religiosity, and mental health across the lifespan, with a particular focus on psychological well-being and access to mental health services.

2.1. Search Strategy

The relevant literature was identified by searching the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify studies published between January 2000 and January 2026.
The search strategy combined keywords related to spirituality, religiosity, mental health, coping, resilience, help-seeking, healthcare access, and different stages of the lifespan using Boolean operators.
The core PubMed search strategy used the following keywords and Boolean operators: (“spirituality” OR “religiosity” OR “religious coping” OR “spiritual struggle”) AND (“mental health” OR “depression” OR “anxiety” OR “psychological distress” OR “well-being” OR “resilience” OR “suicide” OR “quality of life”) AND (“child*” OR “adolescent*” OR “adult*” OR “older adult*” OR “aging” OR “lifespan”).
To identify studies specifically addressing access to mental health care, an additional search combined spirituality- and religiosity-related terms with “help-seeking”, “help seeking”, “treatment seeking”, “healthcare access”, “access to care”, “mental health service*”, “professional help” and “stigma”. Search syntax was adapted to the indexing requirements of Scopus and Web of Science.
Articles were selected based on their relevance to the objectives of the review following title, abstract, and full-text assessment. As this study was designed as an exploratory narrative review, no formal systematic review protocol, risk-of-bias assessment, or meta-analytic procedures were applied.

2.2. Eligibility Criteria

Publications were considered eligible if they met the following criteria: (1) examined spirituality, religiosity, religious involvement, spiritual or religious coping, spiritual well-being, or closely related constructs; (2) investigated their relationship with mental health or psychologically relevant outcomes, including depression, anxiety, psychological distress, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, substance use, psychological well-being, coping, resilience, or other indicators of emotional functioning; (3) examined help-seeking behavior, attitudes toward mental health care, stigma, use of mental health services, or barriers and facilitators to professional care when these outcomes were considered in relation to spirituality or religiosity; (4) included human participants from any stage of the lifespan or synthesized evidence derived from human populations; (5) were published in peer-reviewed journals between January 2000 and January 2026; and (6) were published in English.
Given the narrative and lifespan-oriented scope of the review, a broad range of study designs was considered eligible, including cross-sectional and longitudinal observational studies, prospective cohort studies, qualitative and mixed-methods studies, as well as systematic reviews, meta-analyses, scoping reviews, integrative reviews, and narrative reviews. Reviews were included when they provided relevant synthesis or conceptual context for one or more of the predefined domains of interest.
Publications were excluded if they: (1) addressed spirituality or religiosity exclusively in relation to physical health outcomes without reporting a mental health, psychological, or help-seeking component; (2) mentioned spirituality or religiosity only incidentally, without examining their relationship with an outcome relevant to the objectives of the review; (3) focused exclusively on theological, philosophical, or doctrinal aspects of religion without an empirical or clinically relevant mental health component; (4) were editorials, letters, commentaries, conference abstracts, protocols, dissertations, book reviews, or other non-peer-reviewed publications; (5) were not available in English; or (6) were published outside the predefined time interval.

2.3. Data Extraction and Synthesis

Records identified through the database searches were screened for relevance to the predefined eligibility criteria based on titles and abstracts. Potentially eligible publications were subsequently assessed in full text. Because the review was designed as a structured narrative synthesis rather than a systematic review, the objective was not to exhaustively include every publication meeting the broad eligibility criteria but to identify evidence that adequately represented the major themes addressed by the review across different stages of the lifespan.
Consideration was given to the relevance of each publication to the review objectives, the population and life stage represented in the study design, and its contribution to the existing evidence base. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were preferentially used to characterize areas supported by a substantial body of the literature, while primary studies were included to provide population-specific, developmental, cultural, or clinically relevant evidence not adequately captured by broader reviews. The final evidence base comprised 52 publications.
To facilitate interpretation, the evidence was organized according to three life stages: childhood and adolescence, adulthood, and older adulthood. The distribution of the included studies according to life stage is presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Distribution of Included Studies According to Life Stage.
In addition, a separate section was dedicated to spirituality, religiosity, and access to mental health care, focusing on help-seeking behaviors, barriers to care, stigma, and healthcare access across the lifespan.

3. Results

The findings of the included studies (Table 2) are presented as a narrative synthesis organized according to the major stages of the lifespan and key thematic areas, including psychological well-being, coping, resilience, family relationships, help-seeking behaviors, and both the beneficial and adverse associations of spirituality and religiosity with mental health.

3.1. Spirituality and Mental Health Across the Lifespan

3.1.1. Childhood and Adolescence

Spiritual Development and Family Influences
Research suggests that children begin to develop basic concepts about God and spirituality between the ages of 3 and 5 years, when religious ideas are often understood in concrete and anthropomorphic ways (for example, imagining God as a person who lives in the sky and watches over people). Between the ages of 6 and 10 years, children gradually develop more complex and abstract understandings of spirituality, morality, and transcendence as cognitive abilities mature [17,24].
During childhood, spirituality and religiosity are strongly shaped by family relationships and early social experiences. Children often learn religious beliefs and practices through parental modeling, participation in rituals, and communication within the family environment [17,25].
In 2003, Boyatzis and Janicki [26] conducted a study examining parent–child communication about religion and found that family interactions play an important role in the transmission of religious beliefs and practices during childhood. The study showed that children often learn about religion through everyday conversations, shared rituals, and parental modeling within the family environment. The authors also observed that mothers appeared to be more actively involved in religious communication with children; they discuss religious topics more frequently and engage more often in conversations related to beliefs, values, and spiritual practices compared to fathers [26].
Attachment theory has also been used to explain religious and spiritual development during childhood. According to this perspective, children may use early relationships with caregivers as models for later spiritual representations, including their image of God or other transcendent figures [27,28]. Secure parental attachment has been associated with perceiving spirituality as a source of comfort, protection, and emotional security, while negative or inconsistent family relationships may contribute to fear, guilt, or spiritual distress [17,27,29].
These early spiritual experiences may also influence children’s mental health and emotional well-being. Supportive religious and family environments have been associated with better emotional regulation, lower levels of anxiety and behavioral problems, and improved coping strategies during childhood [7,30]. In contrast, negative religious experiences or fear-based beliefs may contribute to emotional distress and psychological vulnerability in some children [7,31].
Adolescence represents a complex developmental period characterized by major biological, emotional, cognitive, and social changes [17,32]. During this stage, individuals begin to explore questions related to identity, personal values, autonomy, and the meaning of life, while also experiencing increased emotional vulnerability and social pressure [32].
The search for belonging, purpose, and self-understanding becomes particularly important during this time, making this period especially relevant for spiritual and religious development [33].
Hardy, Nelson, Moore, and King, in a comprehensive systematic review examining 30 years of research on this subject, demonstrated that spiritual and religious involvement may play an important role in adolescent development and mental health. The authors found that religiosity was frequently associated with lower rates of depression, anxiety, substance use, delinquent behaviors, and suicidal ideation among adolescents [34].
They also highlighted that spirituality may support adolescents during periods of stress by promoting hope, meaning in life, positive coping strategies, and self-regulation. In addition, the review emphasized the important role of family relationships, parental religiosity, peer relationships, and participation in supportive religious communities on adolescents’ social development [34].
Spirituality, Suicide Risk, and Emotional Vulnerability
Suicide and self-harming behaviors represent major public health concerns among adolescents and are among the leading causes of death in this age group [35,36]. Several studies have suggested that spirituality and religiosity are associated with lower rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among adolescents [18,37,38].
Authors suggest that this protective effect may be related to stronger social integration, moral or religious beliefs that discourage suicide, and the emotional support provided by family members and religious communities [39]. In addition, participation in religious activities may reduce feelings of loneliness and encourage adolescents to seek support within the community during difficult periods [40].
Negative Religious Experiences
However, the relationship between spirituality and mental health during childhood and adolescence is not always a positive one. Some studies suggest that certain religious environments or parenting styles may contribute to emotional distress, fear, guilt, or anxiety in some children and adolescents [7,31,38,41].
In highly rigid or authoritarian religious contexts, children may experience excessive pressure related to obedience, morality, or religious expectations, while emotional difficulties may sometimes be interpreted as signs of weak faith, disobedience, or spiritual failure [7,41]. Fear-based religious beliefs and negative religious experiences may also contribute to feelings of shame, low self-esteem, or psychological vulnerability [7,41].
During adolescence, when identity formation and emotional autonomy become increasingly important, conflicts between personal beliefs and family or religious expectations may represent additional sources of stress. Some adolescents may experience confusion, guilt, fear of judgment, or social exclusion when their personal values or behaviors differ from those promoted within their religious environment [42].
Since family relationships appear to play a central role in the relationship between spirituality and children and adolescent mental health, several researchers have examined how parenting styles may influence the way religious beliefs affect psychological development [25,41].
In a review exploring the relationship between religiosity and parenting, the authors found that religious parents are often more involved in their children’s lives and may promote emotional support, stronger family relationships, and social values. However, highly rigid or authoritarian parenting styles in certain religious contexts may also contribute to emotional distress, guilt, or anxiety in some adolescents [41]. These findings raise the question of whether some of the negative psychological effects seen in religious contexts may be related more to strict or authoritarian parenting styles than to religiosity itself.
Overall, the available evidence suggests that the relationship between spirituality and mental health during childhood and adolescence is complex and influenced by developmental, family, and social factors. Supportive religious environments may promote emotional well-being, resilience, and healthy coping, whereas rigid or fear-based religious experiences may have a negative influence on some children and adolescents. These findings suggest that the effects of spirituality depend not only on religious beliefs themselves but also on the family environment and the broader context in which spiritual development takes place.

3.1.2. Adulthood

Spirituality and Psychological Well-Being in Adulthood
Adulthood is a period often characterized by multiple personal, social, and professional responsibilities that may influence psychological well-being and mental health. During this stage of life, individuals frequently face challenges related to work, financial stability, intimate relationships, parenting, caregiving responsibilities, major life transitions, and social expectations [43].
These experiences may increase vulnerability to stress, anxiety, burnout, and depressive symptoms [44], while also raising existential questions related to meaning, identity, and purpose in life [43,45].
The reviewed studies suggest that spirituality is frequently associated with a greater sense of meaning, hope, and emotional comfort during periods of stress or adversity and is often linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety, greater resilience, better emotional regulation, and higher life satisfaction among adults [3,10,46].
Studies suggest that spiritual beliefs, religious practices, and spiritual coping may become particularly important for some individuals during periods of major life stress, trauma, or illness, with spiritual coping strategies frequently used by adults facing chronic medical conditions [47], the loss of significant others [48], relational difficulties, or traumatic experiences [49].
Spiritual beliefs may help individuals see difficult situations from a broader perspective, making suffering feel more understandable and easier to cope with. Park [50] described this process as “meaning-making,” suggesting that people may adapt more easily to stressful life events when they are able to integrate these experiences into their personal beliefs, values, and sense of purpose.
The potential influence of spirituality also extends to occupational well-being and burnout among adults. Workplace stress, emotional exhaustion, and professional dissatisfaction are increasingly recognized as important contributors to poor mental health in adulthood [19,51,52]. Some studies suggest that spirituality may function as a protective factor by promoting meaning in work, emotional balance, compassion, and resilience in stressful professional environments. This has been observed particularly among healthcare professionals, caregivers, and individuals working in emotionally demanding occupations [53,54].
Spiritual Practices, Coping, and Suicide Risk in Adulthood
In addition, spiritual and religious practices such as prayer, meditation, and participation in religious communities may provide emotional comfort, social support, and a sense of belonging, all of which can positively influence mental health [3,55]. These practices may also help some individuals improve the way they cope with their emotions, reduce stress, and enhance overall psychological functioning [56,57].
In 2014, Goyal and colleagues [57] conducted a meta-analysis of 47 randomized controlled trials examining the effects of meditation programs on psychological stress and well-being. The authors found that mindfulness-based meditation interventions helped reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, while also supporting better overall mental health outcomes.
Another interesting study conducted by Tang, Hölzel, and Posner [56] examined the effects of mindfulness meditation on emotional regulation and substance use. The authors suggested that mindfulness-based practices may improve self-awareness, attention control, and emotional regulation and may also help reduce maladaptive behaviors such as drug abuse.
Another important topic frequently discussed in literature is the relationship between spirituality, religiosity, and suicide risk during adulthood. Suicide continues to represent a significant cause of mortality worldwide and is often associated with chronic stress, psychiatric disorders, loneliness, and major life difficulties [58].
Similar to findings observed during adolescence, studies in adult populations also suggest that spirituality and religiosity may be associated with lower suicide risk and fewer suicidal behaviors [40,59].
Negative Religious Coping
In contrast, negative religious coping refers to maladaptive ways in which individuals interpret and use religion during stressful or traumatic experiences. This form of coping is characterized by feelings of punishment from God, spiritual guilt, anger toward a higher power, religious doubt, attributing difficulties to demonic influences, or a sense of being abandoned by God during difficult times [60]. Rather than providing comfort or meaning, these beliefs may intensify emotional suffering and contribute to feelings of hopelessness and existential distress.
For example, Lee et al. investigated the association between religious coping and mental health in individuals living with HIV. The study found that negative religious coping strategies, including feelings of punishment or abandonment by God, were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and poorer quality of life [61].
Overall, the available evidence suggests that spirituality may serve as an important personal resource for adults facing psychological, social, and health-related challenges. By promoting meaning, hope, and adaptive coping, spirituality may support emotional well-being and resilience in many individuals. However, its influence appears to depend on how spiritual and religious beliefs are experienced and used, highlighting the distinction between positive and negative religious coping.

3.1.3. Older Adulthood and Aging

Spirituality and Psychological Well-Being in Older Adults
Older adulthood generally refers to the later stages of life, commonly beginning around the age of 60 years, and is associated with a wide range of biological, psychological, and social changes related to the aging process [62]. According to the World Health Organization, older adults frequently experience challenges such as chronic medical conditions, reduced physical functioning, social isolation, bereavement, and loss of independence, all of which may significantly affect mental health and quality of life [62].
This period is frequently accompanied by experiences such as retirement, physical decline, chronic illness, bereavement, reduced social networks and increasing awareness of mortality, all of which may negatively affect emotional well-being and mental health [63,64].
In this context, spirituality and religiosity may become increasingly important in older adulthood as individuals face existential concerns related to aging, illness, loss, mortality, and thoughts about the afterlife. For many older adults, spiritual beliefs and practices can provide a sense of meaning and can give them hope, comfort, and emotional support during these experiences.
Compared to younger populations, older adults generally report higher levels of religiosity and spiritual involvement [65]. Some authors suggest that this may partly reflect generational differences, as many individuals from older generations were raised in periods when religion played a more central role in daily life [12], but it may also reflect the tendency for spiritual and existential concerns to become more important with aging [66].
Research in recent years has increasingly explored the relationship between spirituality, religiosity, and psychological well-being in older adults. There are studies that suggest that religious involvement may be associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety in this group [67,68,69], greater resilience [70], higher life satisfaction [71], and better adaptation to chronic illness and the challenges associated with aging [72].
These beliefs and practices may become particularly important in the context of physical decline, loss of autonomy, and awareness of mortality, helping some individuals maintain hope, dignity, and a sense of meaning despite suffering and functional limitations. Studies conducted in geriatric and palliative care suggest that spiritual well-being may be associated with lower existential distress, greater acceptance of aging and death, improved emotional adjustment, and better quality of life [73,74].
Spirituality, Social Support, and Suicide Risk in Older Adulthood
Religious and spiritual communities may also play an important social role in later life by offering older adults regular and meaningful opportunities for social interaction and community involvement. Aging is often accompanied by a gradual reduction in social networks, as friendships may decrease in number because of retirement, physical limitations, relocation, illness, or the loss of peers and partners [75].
Participation in religious communities may offer older adults opportunities for regular social interaction, interpersonal support, and meaningful engagement in community life. Religious attendance, prayer groups, charitable activities, and other faith-based social programs may help maintain social participation and reduce feelings of loneliness and social exclusion [76,77]. In many cases, religious communities may function as informal support networks that provide emotional support, practical assistance, daily structure, and a sense of belonging, particularly for widowed or socially isolated older adults [77,78].
Another important issue discussed in the literature is the relationship between spirituality, religiosity, and suicide risk in older adulthood. Several countries report relatively high suicide rates among older adults, making late-life suicide an important public health concern [58].
Suicide in later adulthood has been associated with depression, chronic illness, physical disability, chronic pain, bereavement, and loss of independence [79,80].
Similar to findings observed in other stages of life, studies suggest that spirituality and religiosity are associated with lower rates of suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors in this period of life [81]. This protective effect may be related to several factors, including religious beliefs that discourage suicide, spiritual ways of understanding suffering and death, a greater sense of meaning and hope, and stronger social relationships among older adults [82].
Negative Religious Coping
However, the relationship between spirituality and mental health in older adulthood is not always positive. In some cases, religious beliefs and spiritual experiences may become sources of emotional distress rather than comfort. Fear of death, concerns related to the afterlife, feelings of spiritual inadequacy, or the belief that illness and suffering represent divine punishment may contribute to anxiety, guilt, or existential distress in later life [72,83].
In older adults facing chronic illness or functional decline, negative religious coping has been associated with poorer psychological adjustment and lower quality of life [70,72].
Overall, the available evidence suggests that spirituality may play an important role in supporting psychological well-being during older adulthood. As individuals face the challenges of aging, spiritual beliefs and practices may provide meaning, hope, emotional support, and a sense of connection. However, their influence varies according to individual experiences and the way spirituality is understood and practiced.

3.2. Spirituality, Religiosity, and Access to Mental Health Care

Access to mental health services is influenced by multiple individual, familial, cultural, and religious factors, and the role of spirituality and religiosity in help-seeking behavior varies across the lifespan.
During childhood and adolescence, decisions about seeking professional mental health care are strongly influenced by parents or caregivers, as children and adolescents largely depend on them for access to mental health services. Family beliefs and religiosity may therefore strongly shape decisions regarding psychological or psychiatric care. Some parents may prefer religious counseling, prayer, or support from faith communities when children experience emotional or behavioral difficulties [7,30].
In certain cases, symptoms such as anxiety, sadness, or behavioral problems may be interpreted as problems related to discipline, morality, or spirituality rather than mental health conditions [34]. As a result, referral to professional services may sometimes occur later. At the same time, positive family communication and supportive religious environments may help children and adolescents feel safer to discuss emotional problems and ask for support [26,34,41].
In adulthood, help-seeking behaviors may also be influenced by religious and cultural beliefs. Stigma surrounding mental illness may also be reinforced in certain religious or cultural contexts, where psychiatric symptoms are sometimes interpreted as signs of personal weakness, insufficient faith, spiritual failure, or even supernatural influences such as demonic possession or curses. These beliefs can contribute to shame, social exclusion, and delays in seeking professional psychological or psychiatric support [84,85].
As a result, in some communities, individuals experiencing psychiatric symptoms may first seek help from religious leaders or faith healers before turning to mental health professionals [86,87].
In older adulthood, decisions to seek professional mental health care may also be influenced by religiosity and age-related attitudes toward mental health. In this period of life, psychological symptoms such as depression, grief, loneliness, or anxiety may sometimes be perceived as a normal part of aging rather than conditions requiring professional intervention [88].
In this context, some older adults may prefer to rely on prayer, private religious practices, or support from clergy members when facing emotional distress [89]. Generational attitudes toward mental illness, together with concerns related to stigma and self-reliance, may also influence willingness to seek psychiatric or psychological care in this age group [90].
At the same time, religious communities and clergy members may also facilitate timely access to mental health services. In many communities, religious leaders represent trusted sources of support and may encourage individuals experiencing psychological distress to seek professional psychological or psychiatric care when needed [16].
In a UK survey involving 124 clergy, 48 general practitioners, and 13 psychiatrists, Heseltine-Carp and Hoskins [16] found that approximately 60–80% of clergy regularly referred individuals with mental health problems to healthcare professionals. Clergy were particularly effective at recognizing and referring high-risk conditions, including psychosis, suicidal ideation, and substance misuse, highlighting their potential role in the early recognition of mental health disorders and the value of collaboration between faith communities and mental health services.
Overall, the reviewed evidence suggests that the influence of spirituality and religiosity on help-seeking behavior is complex and varies across different stages of life, reflecting differences in developmental, familial, cultural, and religious contexts.
Table 2. Characteristics of the Studies Included in the Narrative Review.

4. Discussion

The findings of this review suggest that the relationship between spirituality, religiosity, and mental health is complex and shaped by multiple individual, developmental, cultural, and contextual factors. Rather than acting as direct protective or risk factors, spirituality and religiosity appear to influence mental health through the way individuals interpret life experiences, cope with adversity, and access emotional and social support. This broader perspective may help explain why the reviewed studies reported both beneficial and adverse associations across different stages of life.
Studies suggest that spirituality may promote mental well-being by helping individuals find meaning and hope while providing emotional comfort and a sense of belonging during stressful life events. Religious communities may further contribute by offering social support and encouraging adaptive ways of coping with illness, bereavement, trauma, and other major life challenges. Together, these findings indicate that the observed benefits are more likely to arise from the meaning, social connections, and coping resources fostered by spirituality and religious involvement than from religiosity itself.
At the same time, the reviewed literature indicates that spirituality is not universally beneficial. When religious beliefs are characterized by fear, guilt, spiritual struggles, rigid interpretations, or stigma surrounding mental illness, they may become an additional source of emotional distress and discourage professional help-seeking. This suggests that the quality of religious coping and the way spirituality is experienced may be more important than the presence of religious beliefs alone.
Another important observation is that these relationships appear to vary across cultural and religious contexts. Religious beliefs, practices, and attitudes toward mental illness differ considerably between populations and may partly explain the heterogeneity observed across the reviewed studies. Moreover, relatively few studies directly compared different religious traditions or dimensions of religiosity, making it difficult to determine whether certain forms of spiritual or religious involvement have stronger associations with mental health than others.
From a clinical perspective, these findings highlight the importance of considering patients’ spiritual and religious beliefs as part of person-centered mental health care when they are relevant to clinical practice, particularly for professionals working in mental health settings. Clinicians should consider assessing patients’ spiritual and religious beliefs, as this can help identify both adaptive and maladaptive forms of religious coping and provide a better understanding of patients’ treatment preferences and support needs. When appropriate, collaboration with chaplains, spiritual care providers, or community faith leaders may further support culturally sensitive care and improve access to mental health services.
However, it is important to recognize that spirituality and religiosity are only one component of the broader framework influencing help-seeking behaviors and access to mental health care. Stigma, cultural attitudes, family support, socioeconomic conditions, and the availability of healthcare resources also contribute to whether individuals seek and receive care. Therefore, spirituality should be understood within this broader context rather than as an isolated determinant.
The findings should be interpreted considering several limitations of both the available literature and the present review. First, as a narrative review, no formal systematic review protocol, risk-of-bias assessment, or meta-analysis was performed. Consequently, study selection and interpretation may have been influenced by the narrative nature of the review, and some relevant studies may have been missed.
Second, only studies published in English were included, which may have introduced language bias. In addition, the literature search was limited to three electronic databases, potentially resulting in database bias and the omission of relevant studies indexed elsewhere.
Third, many of the included studies were cross-sectional and relied on self-reported measures of spirituality, religiosity, and mental health. These methodological characteristics limit the ability to establish causal relationships and may be affected by recall bias, reporting bias, and social desirability bias.
Another limitation is the considerable heterogeneity among the studies included. The studies differed in participant characteristics, age groups, cultural settings, study designs, and the instruments used to assess spirituality, religiosity, and mental health outcomes. This heterogeneity limits direct comparisons across studies and precludes firm conclusions regarding the magnitude of these associations.
Furthermore, this review discussed spirituality and religiosity in broad terms without focusing on specific religions, denominations, or cultural traditions. Because religious beliefs, practices, and the social role of religion vary considerably across populations, the relationship between spirituality and mental health may also differ according to cultural and religious context. Therefore, the findings should not be generalized to all religious traditions.
Future research should prioritize well-designed longitudinal studies to better clarify the temporal relationship between spirituality, religiosity, and mental health across the lifespan. Greater methodological standardization, including the use of validated measures of spirituality and religiosity, would improve comparability between studies. In addition, future studies should further explore differences across religious traditions and cultural settings, as well as the interaction between spiritual, cultural, and structural determinants of access to mental health care.

5. Conclusions

This narrative review suggests that the influence of spirituality and religiosity on mental health is multidimensional and context-dependent, rather than uniformly beneficial or harmful across the lifespan. Their influence appears to depend on the interaction between individual experiences, spiritual beliefs, religious coping, social support, and the broader cultural environment.
Overall, the reviewed literature suggests that spirituality and religiosity are most consistently linked with meaning, social support, and adaptive coping. Their influence on professional help-seeking and access to mental health care is less consistent and appears to depend on cultural, social, and healthcare contexts.
A better understanding of these relationships may contribute to more culturally sensitive research and clinical practice. When relevant to the individual’s experiences and preferences, exploring spiritual and religious beliefs may help clinicians better understand patients’ needs, support individualized mental health care, and ultimately improve psychological well-being and access to mental health services across diverse populations.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, S.C. and M.R.I.; methodology, M.R.I. and S.C.; software, M.H.; validation, M.R.I., M.A. and G.L.M.; formal analysis, S.C. and M.H.; investigation, S.C.; resources, M.A.; data curation, S.C. and G.L.M.; writing—original draft preparation, S.C.; writing—review and editing, M.R.I., M.H., G.L.M. and M.A.; visualization, G.L.M.; supervision, M.A.; project administration, M.A.; funding acquisition, not applicable. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

No new data were created or analyzed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all researchers whose work contributed to this review.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

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