[:The Role of Spirituality and Religiousness in Promoting Mental Health: A Systematic Review]

Jena KirKiranmayee and Sethi Dr. Manoj Kumar

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: Spirituality and religiousness are increasingly acknowledged as essential dimensions of holistic mental well-being. Over the past decade, increasing empirical research has highlighted the potential of spirituality and religiousness in enhancing resilience, coping abilities, emotional well-being, and overall mental health. This systematic review synthesizes current evidence on how spirituality and religiousness contribute to the promotion and maintenance of mental health among diverse populations. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2014 and 2025. Search strategies incorporated key terms related to spirituality, religiousness, and mental-health outcomes. A total of 1,330 articles were identified, of which 412 duplicates were removed. The remaining 918 records underwent title and abstract screening, followed by full-text assessment of 160 articles. Based on predefined inclusion criteria guided by PRISMA 2020 standards, 52 studies were finally included for review. Data extraction focused on methodological characteristics, variables measured, and primary outcomes. Most included studies reported that both spirituality and religiousness were positively associated with reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, greater life satisfaction, stronger coping capacities, and higher levels of personal resilience. Positive religious coping and spiritual practices were found to buffer psychological distress, whereas negative religious coping showed detrimental associations with mentalhealth indicators. The findings provide vigorous support for spirituality and religiousness as valuable protective resources in promoting mental health. Integrating spiritual and religious dimensions into mental-health services, prevention strategies, and culturally sensitive interventions may strengthen overall well-being. Future research is encouraged to employ longitudinal and cross-cultural designs to further clarify the pathways through which spirituality and religiousness influence mental-health outcomes.

Keywords: Spirituality; Religiousness; Mental Health; Psychological Well-Being; Religious Coping; Systematic Review; PRISMA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I1 I2 I23 I3 I30 Y8 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-12-15, Revised 2025-12-24
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Published in Advanced International Journal for Research (AIJFR) 6.6(2025): pp. 001-010

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