Spirituality Associated with Emotional Health of Resident Physicians

Another item in what is turning out to be an occasional series:

As reported in EurekaAlert,

"Data collected through a survey suggested that the risk for significant depressive symptoms was greater among respondents who reported negative religious coping mechanisms, poorer spiritual well-being and the need for more spiritual support."

. . .

"[A]ddressing the spiritual needs of residents at greater risk for mood problems may help them cope with the stresses associated with their training."

For earlier entries in a similar vein, see:

A Spiritually Inclined Student is a Happier Student

Shorter Hospital Stays, Better Recoveries

Fewer Suicides

Spirituality and Health Among Black Americans

A Theme Recurs

This study differs from the earlier ones in that it focuses on highly educated adults. The caveat at the bottom of that last link applies to all of these studies. I'll repeat it here (slightly adapted for the context).

The usual caveats apply to a study like this: it reveals general trends, not individuals' outcomes. The direction of cause-and-effect relationship between religious behavior and life outcomes cannot be proved through a survey. It does demonstrate, however, that there's no truth to the Freudian belief that the religious are weaker mentally or emotionally than others, and it strongly suggests that the opposite is in fact true.

Posted: Thu - March 16, 2006 at 11:54 AM |

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Spirituality Associated with Emotional Health of Resident Physicians

Thinking Christian by Tom Gilson