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The relationship between Americans’ spiritual/religious beliefs and behaviors and mental health

New evidence from the 2016 General Social Survey

Bibliographic Data

ID21204998
AuthorsStephanie Bosco‐Ruggiero (0000-0002-5408-2190, Fordham University, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume22
Issue1
Pages30-48
Publication date2020-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Spirituality in Mental Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1934-9645 • E-ISSN: 1934-9637
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/19349637.2018.1515052
OpenAlexW2889805391
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited28

This study uses 2016 General Social Survey (GSS) data to examine the relationship between Americans’ religious and spiritual beliefs and behaviors and their mental health. Mental health is measured by days of poor mental health, depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression subscale score), and general happiness. Spiritual/religious beliefs and behaviors measured include afterlife beliefs, belief in God, prayer, service attendance, and self-perceived religiosity and spirituality. More frequent service attendance was the most consistent predictor of enhanced mental health and well-being. Findings are consistent with those of prior studies using GSS data, which showed associations between Americans’ religious/spiritual beliefs and behaviors, especially service attendance, and mental health

Afterlife · Alternative medicine · Attendance · Church attendance · Happiness · Mental health · Prayer · Psychiatry · Religiosity · Spirituality · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Psychology · Religion and Society Interactions · Religion, Society, and Development · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology

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Unique citing works2
Citations per year0,4
Citation span2021 - 2022 (2)
Citation velocityhistorical
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 2
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