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Religions
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Religion, Spirituality and Psychosocial Well-Being
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Religion, Spirituality and Psychosocial Well-Being

A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 January 2022) | Viewed by 50859

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jesús Saiz Galdós

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Guest Editor
Department of Social, Work and Differential Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223 Madrid, Spain
Interests: social psychology; psychology of religion; spirituality; health
Dr. Tamara L. Goldsby

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Guest Editor
Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
Interests: psychology and integrative health; with a particular focus on sound healing
Prof. Dr. Carolina Marín Martín

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Guest Editor
Department of Assessment, Personality and Clinical Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Interests: psychology; psychosocial well-being; spirituality

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Psychosocial well-being is currently used in the literature to refer to a multidimensional construct that includes the self-perceived spiritual, psychological and social components required for individuals’ healthy functioning in their environment. The scientific study of religion and spirituality (R/S) has grown considerably in recent decades, with an increasing number of empirical studies, reviews and meta-analyses that describe the impact of these variables on psychological and spiritual well-being. Nevertheless, the effects of R/S on the psychosocial dimension of well-being has received limited attention in the literature, although studies that have been published, especially in the clinical population (both mental health and medical problems), discuss an association between R/S and psychosocial well-being. On the other hand, there is a wide range of issues that might be included, such as social connectedness, social interaction, social support, group identity, social adjustment, acculturation process, environmental care, sense of belonging, and so on, which may play an important role in understanding the association between R/S and psychosocial well-being.

This issue aims to draw together current thinking and research related to the use of R/S to improve psychosocial well-being. Contributors are invited to submit theoretical and research manuscripts on the use of specific R/S interventions, the role of assessment in spiritually integrated practices, meta-analyses of existing research on the topic, or the ethical use of R/S interventions. Contributions representative of any R/S tradition will be considered.

Prof. Dr. Jesús Saiz Galdós
Dr. Tamara L. Goldsby
Prof. Dr. Carolina Marín Martín
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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-blind 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

  • religion
  • spirituality
  • psychosocial well-being
  • spiritually integrated interventions
  • social connectedness
  • social interaction
  • social support
  • group identity
  • social adjustment
  • acculturation process
  • environmental care
  • sense of belonging
  • health

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 334 KiB  
Article
Guilt, Psychological Well-Being and Religiosity in Contemporary Cinema
by Florentino Moreno Martín, Icíar Fernández-Villanueva, Elena Ayllón Alonso and José Ángel Medina Marina
Religions 2022, 13(4), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13040277 - 24 Mar 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2775
Abstract
This study explains the change in meaning that psychology has given to the relationship between religiosity and psychological well-being since the beginning of the 20th century, dating it back to the deep change introduced by post-modernity. Guilt is interpreted as a paradigm of [...] Read more.
This study explains the change in meaning that psychology has given to the relationship between religiosity and psychological well-being since the beginning of the 20th century, dating it back to the deep change introduced by post-modernity. Guilt is interpreted as a paradigm of this change in meaning, and the reflection that the different ways of understanding guilt have had on the screen is analyzed. The Content Analysis of a sample of 94 films showed 5 modes of expression of guilt that can be placed on a continuum from the traditional Judeo-Christian model that serves as a benchmark—harm-repentance-penitence-forgiveness—to the removal of guilt as a requirement for self-realization. The other three models emerge between these two poles: the absence of guilt as a psychiatric pathology; the resignification of the guilty act for the reduction in dissonance; and idealized regret at no cost. Studying guilt-coping models of the films allows us to infer the hypothesis that a large part of the current positive view of religiosity in psychological well-being is related to a culture that does not demand psychological suffering as a requirement for a full experience of spirituality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Spirituality and Psychosocial Well-Being)
12 pages, 1034 KiB  
Article
Validation of the Brief RCOPE in Portuguese Family Caregivers of Adults with Health Conditions
by Tiago Casaleiro, Helga Martins and Sílvia Caldeira
Religions 2022, 13(2), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13020144 - 3 Feb 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2433
Abstract
Background: Coping is a multifactorial and individual process related to responding to stressful situations, such as being a caregiver of a relative with health conditions. Spiritual/religious coping is an important internal resource used by individuals enduring stressful situations. The 14-item Brief RCOPE is [...] Read more.
Background: Coping is a multifactorial and individual process related to responding to stressful situations, such as being a caregiver of a relative with health conditions. Spiritual/religious coping is an important internal resource used by individuals enduring stressful situations. The 14-item Brief RCOPE is a widely used instrument but not available in European Portuguese. Objective: To translate, adapt and validate the 14-item Brief RCOPE in Portuguese caregivers of an adult relative with a health condition. Method: The methodological guideline provided by Sousa and Rojjanasrirat was used to examine the psychometric properties of the Brief RCOPE. Results: The linguistic and conceptual equivalence of the scale was determined. The internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach’s α = 0.86). The Principal Axis Factor (PAF) analysis with varimax rotation identified two factors made up of 13 items, and one item was excluded from the scale. Conclusion: The European Portuguese version of the Brief RCOPE is a reliable and valid measure for assessing religious coping of family caregivers of adults with health conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Spirituality and Psychosocial Well-Being)
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12 pages, 819 KiB  
Article
Sound Healing: Mood, Emotional, and Spiritual Well-Being Interrelationships
by Tamara L. Goldsby, Michael E. Goldsby, Mary McWalters and Paul J. Mills
Religions 2022, 13(2), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13020123 - 27 Jan 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 16358
Abstract
Psychosocial stress, tension, and depression are quite common in many parts of the developed world. Integrative medicine techniques which may potentially increase spiritual and emotional well-being may be useful in combating chronic psychosocial stress, as well as challenges with depression and excessive tension. [...] Read more.
Psychosocial stress, tension, and depression are quite common in many parts of the developed world. Integrative medicine techniques which may potentially increase spiritual and emotional well-being may be useful in combating chronic psychosocial stress, as well as challenges with depression and excessive tension. The present observational study examines the effect of singing-bowl sound healing on emotional and spiritual well-being and particularly examines interrelationships between changes in spiritual well-being with changes in tension and depressed mood post-sound healing. Participants experienced a sound healing environment of vibrational musical instruments such as singing bowls (bell-like instruments), gongs, and other vibrational instruments. Sixty-two participants were examined in an observational study using singing-bowl sound healing. Emotional and spiritual well-being were examined by utilizing standardized questionnaires. Results revealed significant correlations between improvements in scores of spiritual well-being and reductions in scores of tension and depression post-sound healing. Moreover, effects varied by age of the study participants. Specifically, the association between spiritual well-being improvement and depression improvement was strongest for ages 31–40, while spiritual well-being improvement and tension improvement associations were strongest for ages 51–60. Implications for applying sound healing meditations as a potential low-cost, low-technology therapeutic technique are discussed for emotional and spiritual well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Spirituality and Psychosocial Well-Being)
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14 pages, 1058 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Religion and Social Support on Self-Reported Happiness in Latin American Immigrants in Spain
by Angélica M. Formoso-Suárez, Jesús Saiz, Deepak Chopra and Paul J. Mills
Religions 2022, 13(2), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13020122 - 26 Jan 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5005
Abstract
The Latin American immigrant population in Spain is growing year after year. The aim of this study is to describe how religious coping mechanisms, religiosity, acculturation and social support act in the prediction of happiness within the group of Latin American immigrants with [...] Read more.
The Latin American immigrant population in Spain is growing year after year. The aim of this study is to describe how religious coping mechanisms, religiosity, acculturation and social support act in the prediction of happiness within the group of Latin American immigrants with Christian beliefs in Spain. Previous studies indicate that religious practice can be a factor that favors the perception of well-being and happiness in people. It is considered that the existence of close sources of support act as a key resource in facing stressful situations. A questionnaire consisting of 36 items was administered to a sample made up of 206 subjects of different Latin American nationalities who were going through a migration process. It was observed that religiosity, social support, religious coping mechanisms and gender were related to the perception of happiness. The results underline the importance of considering religiosity and social support together while intervening to improve the perception of happiness of Latin American immigrants in Spain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Spirituality and Psychosocial Well-Being)
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14 pages, 336 KiB  
Article
Depressive Symptomology, Identity and Religious Practices among Catholics and Evangelicals: Differences between the Mapuche and Non-Indigenous Chilean Population
by Lorena Patricia Gallardo-Peralta and María Beatriz Fernández Lorca
Religions 2022, 13(1), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13010076 - 14 Jan 2022
Viewed by 2394
Abstract
Background: Chile is a highly religious country. Although a majority of the population describes itself as Catholic, there has been a substantial growth in Evangelism, especially among indigenous people. In this context, the aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between [...] Read more.
Background: Chile is a highly religious country. Although a majority of the population describes itself as Catholic, there has been a substantial growth in Evangelism, especially among indigenous people. In this context, the aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between Catholic and Evangelical religiosity in terms of identity and practices and depressive symptoms in the Mapuche and non-indigenous Chilean population. Methods: The study was conducted using secondary data from the Longitudinal Intercultural Relations Study of 2017, estimating linear regressions to explain variations on the PHQ-9 scale between the adult Mapuche and non-indigenous Chilean population by first including the controls variables, followed by religious identification, churchgoing, and prayer. Results: Social support, good health, and age showed a negative association with PHQ-9 in both groups. Being a woman and not having a partner were only positively related with depression in the non-indigenous group. A negative association was found between Evangelical religious identity and depressive symptoms among the Mapuche population, while churchgoing was negatively associated and prayer was positively associated with depression in the non-indigenous group. Conclusions: The findings confirm that religiosity is a protective factor against depressive symptomology in the Chilean population. However, the analysis reveals significant ethnic differences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Spirituality and Psychosocial Well-Being)
35 pages, 4861 KiB  
Article
Religions with or without Sense of Humor: A Psychological Perspective
by José M. Prieto and Pedro Altungy
Religions 2021, 12(12), 1093; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12121093 - 10 Dec 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 7072
Abstract
The contrast between Homo Ridens and Homo Religiosus is launched and followed by the tug of war between the laugh of God and the sin of laughter. Funniness in jokes with religious content is explored through the incongruity-resolution model developed by Suls, a [...] Read more.
The contrast between Homo Ridens and Homo Religiosus is launched and followed by the tug of war between the laugh of God and the sin of laughter. Funniness in jokes with religious content is explored through the incongruity-resolution model developed by Suls, a psychologist expert in artificial intelligence: among the faithful abound believers whom it deems inappropriate the hilarious endings invented, with ulterior motives, by humorists. The transgression model in graphic design, elaborated by Alvarez Junco, provides the frame of reference to discern the camouflage of four frescos and a sculpture by Michelangelo, who knew more than he appeared, and was a dissident, but not a heretic. Humor cannot be reduced to jokes, and the taxonomy created by Long and Grasser (cognitive and experimental psychologists) has been used to accentuate the nexus between witticism in daily life interactions with religious connotations: their eleven categories have been portrayed using literary narratives authored by well-known European and Asian writers. Efforts have been made to draft them with the sense of humor that corresponds to the heading. Psychologists pay attention mainly to individual or group experiences, that is, religiosity. Artists have relied on camouflage to ensure that inquisitive persons do not react by penalizing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Spirituality and Psychosocial Well-Being)
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15 pages, 375 KiB  
Article
Validation of “Trust/Mistrust in God Scale” for Spanish Cancer Patients
by David Almaraz, Jesús Saiz, Iván Sánchez-Iglesias and David H. Rosmarin
Religions 2021, 12(12), 1077; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12121077 - 5 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2741
Abstract
Trust/Mistrust in God have turned out to be two constructs that have great relevance in the study of the relationship between religion, spirituality, and health. In Spain, there are no instruments adapted to measure trust/mistrust in God, which limits the work of researchers [...] Read more.
Trust/Mistrust in God have turned out to be two constructs that have great relevance in the study of the relationship between religion, spirituality, and health. In Spain, there are no instruments adapted to measure trust/mistrust in God, which limits the work of researchers interested in these aspects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to validate the Brief Trust/Mistrust in God Scale (BTMGS) in Spanish. The scale translated into Spanish was applied in a sample of 178 oncologic patients together with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and the significant others subscale of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, due to the existing evidence of relationships between the variables evaluated by these measures. Internal consistency, structural validity, convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated. The Spanish adaptation of the BTMGS obtained high internal consistency, both for trust subscale (α = 0.95) and for the mistrust subscale (α = 0.86). Furthermore, the correlations found between the BTMGS and the measures of positive and negative emotions and social add evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. These results suggest that the Spanish version of the BTMGS is a valid and reliable measure to be used in research on religion, spirituality and health in Spanish-speaking contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Spirituality and Psychosocial Well-Being)
10 pages, 771 KiB  
Article
Use of Causal Language in Studies on the Relationship between Spiritually-Based Treatments and Substance Abuse and Relapse Prevention
by Iván Sánchez-Iglesias, Marta González-Castaño and Antonio J. Molina
Religions 2021, 12(12), 1075; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12121075 - 3 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2876
Abstract
The main goal of scientific research is to explain what causes a phenomenon. However, only well-controlled studies guarantee sufficient internal validity to support causal explanations (i.e., experimental and some quasi-experimental designs). The use of causal claims in non-experimental studies can mislead readers into [...] Read more.
The main goal of scientific research is to explain what causes a phenomenon. However, only well-controlled studies guarantee sufficient internal validity to support causal explanations (i.e., experimental and some quasi-experimental designs). The use of causal claims in non-experimental studies can mislead readers into assuming a cause–effect relationship when alternative explanations have not been ruled out, undermining the principle of scientific rigor and the credibility of scientific findings. Although spiritual practices form part of some interventions for health and behavioral problems, their effectiveness cannot often be assessed via experimental methodology. This paper assesses the validity of causal inferences in published non-experimental studies, and more specifically in studies on the relationship between spiritually based treatments and substance abuse improvement and relapse prevention. We conducted a systematic review using Scopus, Pubmed, and several databases included in ProQuest, for the period 2015 to 2020. Out of 16 studies selected, six studies (37.5%) used correct language in the title, abstract, and discussion sections; 10 studies (68.8%) used tendentious or incorrect language in at least one section. Spiritually based treatments show promising results in some health improvement outcomes. Most studies show transparency when reporting results. However, researchers should be careful not to make causal assertions unless the internal validity of the research is sound. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Spirituality and Psychosocial Well-Being)
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14 pages, 655 KiB  
Article
Indirect Relationship between Alcoholics Anonymous Spirituality and Their Hopelessness: The Role of Meaning in Life, Hope, and Abstinence Duration
by Marcin Wnuk
Religions 2021, 12(11), 934; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12110934 - 28 Oct 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3874
Abstract
Spiritual growth is a significant factor in Alcoholics Anonymous treatment process. In the literature, there is an observable lack of research regarding spiritual mechanisms of recovery in alcohol addicted individuals who are participants of self-help groups. The study purpose was to examine the [...] Read more.
Spiritual growth is a significant factor in Alcoholics Anonymous treatment process. In the literature, there is an observable lack of research regarding spiritual mechanisms of recovery in alcohol addicted individuals who are participants of self-help groups. The study purpose was to examine the potential mechanisms indirectly influencing participants of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and to determine the effects of spiritual experiences on their feelings of hopelessness through finding meaning in life, improving hope, and longer abstinence duration. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional design. Participants were AA meeting attenders from Poland. According to the obtained results, the relationship between spiritual experiences and feelings of hopelessness was indirect through meaning in life, hope, and abstinence duration. Additionally, the moderated mediation effect was positively verified. Meaning in life moderated the relationship between hope and feelings of hopelessness. In a group of AA participants with less-than-average and average levels of meaning in life, hope protected against feelings of hopelessness. Among AA participants with higher-than-average meaning in life, hope was not related to their depression symptoms. The spiritual mechanisms, which led to reduced feelings of hopelessness among AA participants, and the role of meaning in life, hope, and duration of abstinence were confirmed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Spirituality and Psychosocial Well-Being)
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15 pages, 355 KiB  
Article
Self-Compassion and Social Connectedness as Predictors of “Peace and Meaning” during Spain’s Initial COVID-19 Lockdown
by Jesús Saiz, Berta Ausín, Clara González-Sanguino, Miguel Ángel Castellanos, María Salazar, Carolina Marin, Aída López-Gómez, Carolina Ugidos and Manuel Muñoz
Religions 2021, 12(9), 683; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12090683 - 26 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3295
Abstract
The COVID-19 lockdown has had a massive psychological impact on mental health in the general population, with increases in anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Spiritual well-being, specifically peace and meaning, has already been identified as one of the main protective factors for [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 lockdown has had a massive psychological impact on mental health in the general population, with increases in anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Spiritual well-being, specifically peace and meaning, has already been identified as one of the main protective factors for these disorders in the COVID-19 context. The aim of the present study is to identify facilitating elements for peace and meaning during the COVID-19 lockdown in Spain. Online surveys were used to obtain data from a sample of 3480 Spanish people. Self-compassion and social support were positively related with peace and meaning, while loneliness and perceived discrimination were negatively related. The model for peace and meaning was statistically significant, explaining 47% of the variance. The significant variables were self-kindness, family support, mindfulness, and sense of belonging having a positive association and loneliness a negative one. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Religion, Spirituality and Psychosocial Well-Being)
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