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Family Health and Its Threats in the Physical, Mental, Religious–Moral,...
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Family Health and Its Threats in the Physical, Mental, Religious–Moral, and Social Dimensions

A Special Issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444) belonging to the section "Religions and Health/Psychology/Social Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2026) | Viewed by 14049

Editors

Prof. Dr. Urszula Dudziak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Family Sciences, Institute of Theology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Interests: family sciences; psychology of marriage and family; pastoral and moral theology; pastoral care of families; pro-family catechesis; natural family planning; upbringing to family life
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Piotr Guzdek

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Polish Association of Defenders of Human Life, 31-142 Kraków, Poland
Interests: bioethics; anthropology of the family; psychosocial and pastoral aspects of prenatal loss

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Every person coming into the world has a father and a mother. Parents together with their child form a natural family. The family unit is a place of expressing love and transmitting life. For the child, it is a place of growth and development, providing opportunities to acquire basic knowledge and education through shaping attitudes based on professed norms and values. The section Religions and Health/Psychology/Social Sciences of Religions is open to publications concerning family. Following the success of another topic that interested authors and readers, “The Role of Religion in Marital and Family Life”, we propose another interesting and scientifically worthy issue: “Family Health and Its Threats in the Physical, Mental, Religious–Moral, and Social Dimensions”.

Just as a human exists in the somatic, mental, spiritual, and social spheres, so too can the family, created by people, be characterized in each of these four elements. In each of them, both development and disruption can occur. Various conditions can either favor development or pose serious threats to it. The value of family is crucial both for individuals and society. Moral norms taught by various religions provide special protection for marriages and families. Psychosocial, medical, theological, and ethical guidelines can offer development opportunities, threat prevention, advisory, and therapeutic assistance. Undertaking international collaboration among scientists, experts, and followers of different religions can contribute to a broad, interesting, and highly practical approach to the issue with genuine care for individuals, marriage, and family.

We encourage specialists from various fields to submit articles to this collection. These can be psychologists, pedagogues, theologians, sociologists, family scholars, lawyers, ethicists, and medical doctors. Their investigations can deepen existing knowledge by pointing out similarities and differences in various approaches; form the basis for human education and formation; help satisfy the reader’s curiosity; and increase motivation to spread good for the benefit of individuals and society. Articles by specialists from different fields, religions, and countries can be useful for family development, promoting education in line with ethical principles and pastoral care, preventing pathologies in marital and family life, overcoming crises, and providing professional support in solving problems for spouses, parents, and children.

We encourage the creation of articles in collaboration with multiple authors (from different countries, religions, and professional specialties). This will enable multi-faceted presentations of the topic and the division of costs related to manuscript preparation and publication.

The submitted articles should address the following questions:

  • Why is family a value?
  • What significance do healthy families have for husband, wife, child, and the entire society?
  • What are the duties of a family?
  • How should we understand the concepts of a healthy marriage and healthy family?
  • What constitutes healthy functioning of the family system?
  • What does somatic health concern?
  • What is the psychological health of a family, and what is spiritual health?
  • What does society gain from the existence of healthy families?
  • What promotes family health?
  • What threatens the physical, mental, and spiritual health of the family?
  • What moral norms protect marital and family life?
  • How do different religions relate to respecting and breaking moral norms that protect marriage and family life?
  • What is the purpose of married life?
  • What are the virtues of premarital chastity, marital fidelity, and marriage indissolubility?
  • Which religions allow divorce, and which oppose it?
  • What is responsible parenthood, preconception and prenatal care?
  • How does natural family planning differ from contraception?
  • What positions do religions take on abortion and in vitro fertilization?
  • What factors promote marital bonds?
  • What factors can disrupt the bond between spouses?
  • What helps parents in proper child-rearing?

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor (urszula.dudziak@kul.pl) or to the Religions Editorial Office (religions@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editor for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of this Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

Prof. Dr. Urszula Dudziak
Dr. Piotr Guzdek
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • religions
  • marriage
  • family
  • moral norms
  • health
  • raising
  • Christianity
  • Judaism
  • Islam
  • Hinduism
  • Buddhism

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 364 KB  
Article
The Cultural and Theological Context of Marriage and Family Values in Turkish Proverbs
by Atila Kartal
Religions 2026, 17(9), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17090997 - 23 Aug 2026
Viewed by 225
Abstract
This study employs a qualitative research design to examine cultural values concerning marriage and family through Turkish proverbs and to analyze how these values intersect with theological meanings. Situated at the intersection of folklore and Islamic ethics, it explores how oral tradition articulates, [...] Read more.
This study employs a qualitative research design to examine cultural values concerning marriage and family through Turkish proverbs and to analyze how these values intersect with theological meanings. Situated at the intersection of folklore and Islamic ethics, it explores how oral tradition articulates, transmits, and regulates the values, norms, and moral boundaries associated with marriage and family life. According to the findings, proverbs portray the family as a foundational institution imbued with sacred significance, while marriage is construed as a normative form of life that protects the individual from moral, social, and emotional fragmentation. This discourse accords with Qur’anic and Prophetic principles that encourage marriage and associate family life with a consciousness of servitude to God. The study further indicates that, in Turkish proverbs, women are imagined as central figures who sustain domestic harmony, contribute to family well-being, and shape the moral fabric of the household. One of the study’s most significant findings is that polygyny, although recognized in Islamic law as a conditional legal dispensation, is treated in Turkish proverbs through a reserved and often critical cultural discourse. Recent empirical findings indicate that traditional attitudes retain a notable degree of continuity under modern social conditions. Within this framework, the study examines cultural understandings of marriage and family reflected in Turkish proverbs in relation to religious norms and Islamic family ethics, with particular attention to the relationship between oral culture and religious and moral frameworks of meaning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Health and Its Threats in the Physical, Mental, Religious–Moral, and Social Dimensions)
18 pages, 349 KB  
Article
Defining the Beginning of Human Life: Embryo Status and Abortion in Islamic and Jewish Legal Traditions
by Merve Yiğitoğlu and Mustafa Yiğitoğlu
Religions 2026, 17(8), 984; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17080984 - 20 Aug 2026
Viewed by 392
Abstract
The question of when human life begins is one of the fundamental issues at the intersection of religious ethics, law, and bioethics. This article examines the legal status of the embryo and abortion in Islamic and Jewish legal traditions through a comparative approach. [...] Read more.
The question of when human life begins is one of the fundamental issues at the intersection of religious ethics, law, and bioethics. This article examines the legal status of the embryo and abortion in Islamic and Jewish legal traditions through a comparative approach. The study analyzes primary religious sources, including the Qur’an and Hadith in Islam and the Torah and Talmud in Judaism, together with classical legal interpretations and contemporary scholarly debates. Using a comparative legal and textual methodology, it explores key concepts such as the gradual status of the fetus and ensoulment in Islamic law, as well as the position and legal status of the fetus in Jewish law. The findings indicate that both traditions regard the embryo as a developing form of human life worthy of protection, yet they differ regarding the stage at which full legal and moral status is attained. In Islamic law, fetal protection acquires greater significance following ensoulment, while contemporary discussions increasingly emphasize the importance of fertilization. In Jewish law, full legal personhood is generally associated with birth, and the fetus is understood primarily in relation to the mother. These differing approaches lead to distinct legal outcomes in matters such as maternal health and fetal abnormalities. The study concludes that, despite their differences, both traditions seek to balance the protection of fetal life with the preservation of the mother’s life and well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Health and Its Threats in the Physical, Mental, Religious–Moral, and Social Dimensions)
13 pages, 354 KB  
Article
Educational Communication, Religiosity, and the Integral Health of the Family: A Critical Analysis of Contemporary Research
by Renata Pomarańska
Religions 2026, 17(7), 846; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17070846 - 15 Jul 2026
Viewed by 487
Abstract
This article examines developmental communication as one of the key factors influencing health and the overall functioning of the family. The aim of the study is to highlight the importance of interpersonal communication and religious values in fostering family bonds, shaping health-promoting attitudes, [...] Read more.
This article examines developmental communication as one of the key factors influencing health and the overall functioning of the family. The aim of the study is to highlight the importance of interpersonal communication and religious values in fostering family bonds, shaping health-promoting attitudes, and enhancing the psychological, social, and spiritual well-being of family members. The article is theoretical and analytical in nature and is based on a literature review spanning family studies, pedagogy, sociology, psychology, and the psychology of religion. The findings indicate that open, dialogue-oriented communication supports the development of strong emotional bonds, a sense of security, and family resilience in the face of crisis situations. The importance of marital relationships, parent–child communication, and intergenerational relations for the psychosocial health of family members is emphasized. The study also highlights the role of religion and spiritual values as factors that strengthen family cohesion, foster a sense of meaning in life, and enhance coping with adversity. The conclusions suggest that developmental communication, supported by moral and spiritual values, is a key element in building a healthy and sustainable family system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Health and Its Threats in the Physical, Mental, Religious–Moral, and Social Dimensions)
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14 pages, 233 KB  
Article
Pastoral Care vs. Freedom of Conscience: Responsibility for the Administration of the Anointing of the Sick Without Consent in Poland—Canonical–Legal, Religious, and Medical Aspects
by Krzysztof Mikolajczuk, Katarzyna Zielińska Król, Magdalena Maksymiuk and Justyna Wasiewicz
Religions 2026, 17(7), 823; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17070823 - 9 Jul 2026
Viewed by 323
Abstract
This article addresses the issue of administering the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick without the recipient’s consent, analysing it from canonical, religious, and medical perspectives in Poland. It indicates that, in accordance with the canon law of the Roman Catholic Church, [...] Read more.
This article addresses the issue of administering the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick without the recipient’s consent, analysing it from canonical, religious, and medical perspectives in Poland. It indicates that, in accordance with the canon law of the Roman Catholic Church, it is permissible to act on the basis of a presumed request, particularly in emergency situations. At the same time, the fundamental importance of freedom of conscience and the autonomy of the human will is emphasised, as these constitute a significant limitation on pastoral intervention and are protected under Polish civil law. In conclusion, the paper argues for the necessity of maintaining the principle of proportionality between concern for spiritual welfare and respect for individual rights. The study employs an analysis and synthesis of normative and jurisprudential material. The analysis is comprehensive and multifaceted, whilst the synthesis enables the organisation and consolidation of the findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Health and Its Threats in the Physical, Mental, Religious–Moral, and Social Dimensions)
13 pages, 225 KB  
Article
Family and Youth Formative Communities as Protective Factors Against Addictions Among Adolescents in Poland: A Structured Narrative Review
by Katarzyna Zielińska Król, Małgorzata Tatala and Michaela Šuľová
Religions 2026, 17(7), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17070767 - 26 Jun 2026
Viewed by 393
Abstract
The article examines the protective role of the family and youth formative communities against substance and behavioral addictions in adolescence. Its aim is to synthesize knowledge of risk and protective factors and to indicate how family and community environments can lower the likelihood [...] Read more.
The article examines the protective role of the family and youth formative communities against substance and behavioral addictions in adolescence. Its aim is to synthesize knowledge of risk and protective factors and to indicate how family and community environments can lower the likelihood of risky behaviors. The first part of the paper presents a multifactorial paradigm for explaining young people’s use of psychoactive substances, drawing on data about the situation in Poland. The second part explores the social significance of the family and participation in formative groups, especially religious ones, by referring to the concepts of social capital, normative socialization, and communal rootedness. The third part depicts Scouting and the Light-Life Movement as examples of educational settings that promote a lifestyle grounded in self-discipline, abstinence, and communal responsibility. Overall, the conducted analyses conclude that the protective potential of these environments is not automatic but depends on the quality of relationships, the presence of significant adults, the credibility of norms, and the communities’ capacity to respond to young people’s experiences amid ongoing secularization and cultural individualization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Health and Its Threats in the Physical, Mental, Religious–Moral, and Social Dimensions)
20 pages, 319 KB  
Article
Shaping Religious Practices, Care, and the Upbringing of Children with Autism: Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Fathers in Israel
by Raaya Alon and Boaz Greenwood
Religions 2026, 17(6), 722; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17060722 - 17 Jun 2026
Viewed by 534
Abstract
This qualitative study examines how Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jewish fathers in Israel describe raising a child with autism within the everyday life of a religious family. Although research on autism and family life has expanded, fathers’ voices remain underrepresented, especially in religious families [...] Read more.
This qualitative study examines how Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jewish fathers in Israel describe raising a child with autism within the everyday life of a religious family. Although research on autism and family life has expanded, fathers’ voices remain underrepresented, especially in religious families in which family routines, the Sabbat and holidays, and everyday religious practices shape parenting and participation at home. Data were collected from 127 fathers of children aged 3 to 18 through an online Hebrew questionnaire that included open-ended questions and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The findings suggest that religiosity shaped fathers’ caregiving not only as a source of meaning, hope, and emotional strength but also as a practical framework for everyday accommodation and belonging. Four themes emerged: (1) religiosity as an anchor for resilience; (2) paternal love as a religious practice of accommodation; (3) paternal adaptation during the Sabbat and holidays; and (4) religious authority as a basis for legitimizing care practices and preserving the child’s place within family and religious life. Together, these findings underscore the importance of culturally responsive support that acknowledges how religious meaning systems shape paternal care, family participation, and children’s inclusion, while also suggesting that fatherhood may function as an ongoing mediating process within religious family life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Health and Its Threats in the Physical, Mental, Religious–Moral, and Social Dimensions)
14 pages, 585 KB  
Article
“Wawa Pampay”: Andean Ritual for the Emotional Transformation of Grief in an Andean Community
by Edgar Gutiérrez-Gómez, Yanina Marleni Tristan-Quispe, Rosa Cecilia González-Ríos, Sonia Beatriz Munaris-Parco, Vidalina Andía-Ayme and Gilmar Peña-Rojas
Religions 2025, 16(11), 1462; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16111462 - 18 Nov 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3209
Abstract
The “Wawa Pampay” is an Andean funeral ritual that allows Quechua-speaking communities to collectively process grief over the death of a child, integrating ancestral beliefs and symbolic practices that have been passed down over generations. This study aimed to understand the [...] Read more.
The “Wawa Pampay” is an Andean funeral ritual that allows Quechua-speaking communities to collectively process grief over the death of a child, integrating ancestral beliefs and symbolic practices that have been passed down over generations. This study aimed to understand the cultural and emotional significance of this ritual, as well as to document its symbolic elements in light of the risk of its disappearance due to sociocultural changes. A qualitative approach integrating ethnographic methodology was used, combining participant observation, in-depth interviews in the Quechua language, and photographic and audiovisual recording, while always respecting the beliefs and privacy of the participants. The fieldwork was carried out in a rural community in the Peruvian Andes, with extended visits and cohabitation with the families. The findings show that the “Wawa Pampay” not only bids farewell to the deceased child but also reaffirms social cohesion and strengthens collective memory. Its preservation is key to keeping local cultural identity alive. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Health and Its Threats in the Physical, Mental, Religious–Moral, and Social Dimensions)
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22 pages, 355 KB  
Article
Marriage and Family: Their Value, Tasks and Protection in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism
by Urszula Dudziak, Atila Kartal and Walter Homolka
Religions 2025, 16(11), 1461; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16111461 - 18 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4636
Abstract
Exploring different religions allows us to identify not only differences, but also similarities between them. The search for these similarities and differences regarding such fundamental matters in human life as marriage and family justifies the creation of this article. This comparison of positions [...] Read more.
Exploring different religions allows us to identify not only differences, but also similarities between them. The search for these similarities and differences regarding such fundamental matters in human life as marriage and family justifies the creation of this article. This comparison of positions considers world religions that have existed for centuries and have a significant number of followers, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Based on holy books, documents of religious communities, and scientific publications, the authors have undertaken to answer the following questions: what are marriage and family, and how are they treated in each specific religion? How are marriages formed? What are the responsibilities of spouses/parents, and what functions do families serve? What moral norms protecting marital and family life do specific religions indicate? The value of human beings and interpersonal relationships, the succession of generations and educational needs, the responsibility of the older for the younger, and also the not uncommon permissive and corrupting trends in the world, oblige us to transmit normative content approved by individual religions that is essential for the life and development of individuals and societies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Health and Its Threats in the Physical, Mental, Religious–Moral, and Social Dimensions)
12 pages, 237 KB  
Article
Psychosocial Stress Among Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities: The Interplay of Religiosity, Gender, and Cultural Background
by Raaya Alon
Religions 2025, 16(9), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16091155 - 8 Sep 2025
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2253
Abstract
Siblings of individuals with developmental disabilities frequently assume central emotional and caregiving roles within their families, often facing ongoing and unique stressors. This quantitative study assessed perceived psychosocial stress among 465 emerging adult siblings (aged 18–28) of individuals diagnosed with autism, Down Syndrome [...] Read more.
Siblings of individuals with developmental disabilities frequently assume central emotional and caregiving roles within their families, often facing ongoing and unique stressors. This quantitative study assessed perceived psychosocial stress among 465 emerging adult siblings (aged 18–28) of individuals diagnosed with autism, Down Syndrome (DS), or cerebral palsy (CP), focusing on the gender of the typically developing sibling, type of diagnosis, and religious-cultural sector. Within the Jewish-Israeli population, three main religious-cultural sectors—secular, religious-national, and ultra-Orthodox—differ in their engagement with broader society and adherence to traditional lifestyles. Results indicated significant main effects for all variables: Brothers reported higher stress than sisters, and siblings of individuals with autism or CP experienced greater stress than those with siblings with DS. Religious-cultural sector further interacted with stress: ultra-Orthodox siblings of individuals with autism reported the highest stress, while secular siblings of individuals with CP also exhibited elevated stress. Secular brothers reported higher stress than sisters, while gender differences were not evident in the religious-national or ultra-Orthodox groups. These findings emphasize the need for culturally and religiosity-sensitive interventions that address gender norms and the distinct challenges of various developmental disabilities, to support and improve the well-being and adaptive functioning of siblings during emerging adulthood. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Family Health and Its Threats in the Physical, Mental, Religious–Moral, and Social Dimensions)
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