The Scientific Study of Positive Psychology, Religion/Spirituality, and Mental Health

Abstract

In the past 20 years, over 11, 000 published articles have examined the relationship between religion and spirituality (R/S) and mental health. This chapter summarizes that literature, drawing on recent meta-analyses and narrative reviews while focusing on mood, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders. Complex associations exist between R/S and mental health, with the preponderance of the research suggesting generally modest, positive effects. The impacts of religious/spiritual involvement, meaning making, religious coping, and spiritual struggles are considered. Following this review, the psychological processes in R/S are examined from the perspective of positive psychology. The interrelated contributions of positive emotion, virtues, and meaning making are identified as essential aspects of R/S that promote well-being and are associated with mental health. Commonalities between religion and spirituality are found in their capacities to evoke positive emotions, support meaning making, and foster the cultivation of virtues. The intersections between secular (positive psychology) and sacred (religious/spiritual) pathways to mental health are highlighted, an integrative conceptual model is proposed, and recommendations for future research are offered.