Religious Affiliations Influence Health-Related and General Decision Making: A Brazilian Nationwide Survey

Marcelo Borges, Giancarlo Lucchetti, Frederico C. Leão, Homero Vallada and Mario F. P. Peres
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Marcelo Borges: PROSER, Programa de Espiritualidade e Religiosidade, Instituto de Psiquiatra, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-903, Brazil
Giancarlo Lucchetti: School of Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36038-330, Brazil
Frederico C. Leão: PROSER, Programa de Espiritualidade e Religiosidade, Instituto de Psiquiatra, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-903, Brazil
Homero Vallada: PROSER, Programa de Espiritualidade e Religiosidade, Instituto de Psiquiatra, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-903, Brazil
Mario F. P. Peres: PROSER, Programa de Espiritualidade e Religiosidade, Instituto de Psiquiatra, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-903, Brazil

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-9

Abstract: Approximately 90% of the world’s population is involved in some spiritual/religious practice, and this dimension has a relevant role in life. Many studies demonstrate the associations between spirituality/religiosity (S/R), and physical, mental, and social health. Systematic reviews have indicated positive associations; however, the mechanisms behind religious coping are not fully understood. The present study aimed to examine the role of religious affiliation in general (ordinary) and health-related decisions. A nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Brazil using a self-administered online survey. How much religious affiliation influences decision making was investigated. A total of 1133 participants were included, who were classified as Catholics (43.9%), Evangelicals (18.7%), spiritualists (12.8%), non-religious (11.9%), and others (12.7%). Most participants (66.5%) believed that their religious affiliations had moderate to high influences on their decisions. Participants rated the influence as high in marriage (62.7%), in donations (60.1%), in volunteering (55%), in friendships (53.9%), and in work (50.5%). Concerning health-related decisions, the influence was rated as high in drug use (45.2%), in accepting medical recommendations (45%), and in smoking (43.2%). The influence of religious affiliation on general decision making was significantly correlated for dietary restrictions ( r = 0.462), alcohol consumption ( r = 0.458), drug use ( r = 0.441), tobacco consumption ( r = 0.456), and refusal of medical recommendations ( r = 0.314). Improving the understanding of how a patient’s beliefs, practices, and experiences affect their health may help healthcare practitioners to take into account religious considerations, not only regarding influences on habits but also regarding adherence to medical treatment advice.

Keywords: nationwide; online survey; religion; sensitive information; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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