Influence of religious aspects and personal beliefs on psychological behavior: focus on anxiety disorders

Conceptualizing and Developing a Dynamic Stigma Theory

Stigma is a form of injustice that contributes to the worsening course of the symptoms associated with mental health problems. The paper discusses the conceptualization and development of a contemporary theoretical model of stigma. Building on the findings of an initial scoping review, the author developed a theoretical model after thoroughly analyzing and redefining the key concepts of interest. This article proposes that stigmatized individuals are impacted by the religiocultural and structural violence perspectives embedded within social spaces, leading to stigma perception appraisal and subsequent coping mechanisms, which could be adaptive or maladaptive. Current models of mental illness stigma have gaps. It is time to relook at existing stigma frameworks and fill these gaps that have existed for many years for effective anti-stigma strategies.

Beyond Belief and Practice: An Exploratory Literature Review and Discussion of the Differential Impact of Spirituality and Religiosity on Mental Health Disorders

The relationship between spirituality and religiosity and their impact on mental health is intricate and underexplored. This exploratory review aims to elucidate the distinct effects of these constructs, highlighting their contributions to psychological well-being and clinical practices. By dissecting the impacts of spirituality and religiosity on mental health, the study focuses on their individual and combined roles in shaping therapeutic approaches and theoretical understandings in the field. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, focusing on articles discussing spirituality, religiosity, and their intersection with mental health and psychopathology. Out of 312 identified articles, 69 peer-reviewed articles were included after screening for relevance. The results indicate that spirituality and religiosity significantly influence mental health yet are often conflated, leading to research inconsistencies and clinical challenges. Spirituality, as a broad and individualistic pathway, enhances personal well-being and resilience, often transcending organized religious practices. In contrast, religiosity, with its structured community support, sometimes imposes constraints that exacerbate stress under specific doctrinal pressures. Neurobiological evidence suggests that both constructs interact with cognitive processes and brain function, influencing emotional regulation and stress response. The study concludes that distinguishing between spirituality and religiosity is essential for precise academic discourse and effective clinical practice. This differentiation allows for more personalized therapeutic approaches, accommodating an individual's spiritual and religious contexts. The authors propose a refined framework for future research and therapeutic applications to be sensitive to the nuanced experiences of individuals and to better tailor interventions in clinical settings.

Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) among the Lebanese University students: associated risk factors and repercussion on mental health

Introduction

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a psychological illness characterized by persistent and intrusive preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of BDD and investigate its association with mental health status (depression and anxiety), religiosity, eating disorder risk, and self-esteem among Lebanese University students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2020, involving students from the Lebanese University. Data were collected using the dysmorphic concern questionnaire (DCQ), Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSE), religiosity scale, patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), generalized anxiety disorder assessment (GAD-7), Eating Attitude test-26 scale (EAT-26).

Results

A total of 6,448 participants were enrolled in our study. The overall prevalence of BDD among university students was (6.4%).Our results showed that Lebanese students with BDD were more likely to have anxiety ORadj 1.3 (95% CI: 1.2-1.7) p-value 0.001, depression ORadj 1.2 (95% CI: 1.15-1.5) p-value 0.007, and eating disorder (Bulimia & Food preoccupation ORadj 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03-1.2) p-value 0.0, and oral control ORadj 1.09 (95% CI: 1.05-1.1) p-value < 0.001) compared to those with no BDD. We also found that students with BDD had Lower Self-esteem ORadj 0.88 (95% CI: 0.78-0.9) p-value < 0.001), and less likely to be religious ORadj 0.88 (95% CI: 0.82-0.9) p-value 0.02) compared to those with no BDD.

Conclusions

This pioneering study sheds light on the prevalence of BDD among Lebanese university students and its associated factors. Our findings underscore the importance of early detection of BDD during adolescence and young adulthood, necessitating timely psychological intervention to prevent chronicity and complications.

Active for Life after Cancer: Association of Physical Activity with Cancer Patients' Interpersonal Competence, Quality of Life, and Survival Beliefs

This study aimed to examine the relationship between physical activity and cancer patients' survival beliefs and constructed a mediation model involving the mediating effects of interpersonal competence and quality of life. We conducted 252 questionnaire surveys on multiple chat groups for cancer patients using the WeChat software, and assessed physical activity, survival beliefs, interpersonal competence, and quality of life using standard scales. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS. There were positive correlations between physical activity and quality of life (β = 0.393, p < 0.001), physical activity and interpersonal competence (β = 0.385, p < 0.001), interpersonal competence and quality of life (β = 0.455, p < 0.001), and quality of life and survival beliefs (β = 0.478, p < 0.001). In addition, a significant mediating effect between physical activity and survival beliefs was observed between interpersonal competence and quality of life (standardized indirect effect = 0.384, p < 0.001). The study revealed that effective physical activity led to higher interpersonal competence, more excellent quality of life, and improved survival beliefs in cancer patients, and that the association of physical activity with improved survival beliefs was fully mediated through interpersonal competence and quality of life. The findings suggest that the relevant government should increase policy support and publicity to improve cancer patients' participation in physical activity.

Paranormal belief, cognitive-perceptual factors, and well-being: A network analysis

By assessing interrelationships among variables within a specified theoretical framework, network analysis (NA) provides nuanced insights into how associations between psychological constructs are related to outcome measures. Noting this, the authors used NA to examine connections between Paranormal Belief, cognitive-perceptual factors (Schizotypy, Transliminality, and Manic-Depressive Experience), and well-being (Life Satisfaction, Meaning in Life, Somatic Complaints, Perceived Stress, Depressive Symptoms). Data derived from a sample of 3,090 participants (mean age = 50.30, standard deviation = 15.20; 46.5% male, 53.1% female) who completed standardised self-report measures capturing the study constructs online. Transliminality, Unusual Experiences (positive schizotypy), and Depressive Experience demonstrated high expected influence centrality. This indicated that these factors were the most strongly connected and influential in the network. Moreover, Transliminality was a connecting variable between Paranormal Belief, positive schizotypy, and psychopathology. Depressive Experience bridged the relationship between Transliminality and well-being. The conceptual implications of these outcomes are discussed with regards to better understanding relationships between Paranormal Belief, cognitive-perceptual factors, and well-being.

Variations in Well-Being as a Function of Paranormal Belief and Psychopathological Symptoms: A Latent Profile Analysis

This study examined variations in well-being as a function of the interaction between paranormal belief and psychopathology-related constructs. A United Kingdom-based, general sample of 4,402 respondents completed self-report measures assessing paranormal belief, psychopathology (schizotypy, depression, manic experience, and depressive experience), and well-being (perceived stress, somatic complaints, and life satisfaction). Latent profile analysis identified four distinct sub-groups: Profile 1, high Paranormal Belief and Psychopathology (n = 688); Profile 2, high Paranormal Belief and Unusual Experiences; moderate Psychopathology (n = 800); Profile 3, moderate Paranormal Belief and Psychopathology (n = 846); and Profile 4, low Paranormal Belief and Psychopathology (n = 2070). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) found that sub-groups with higher psychopathology scores (Profiles 1 and 3) reported lower well-being. Higher Paranormal Belief, however, was not necessarily associated with lower psychological adjustment and reduced well-being (Profile 2). These outcomes indicated that belief in the paranormal is not necessarily non-adaptive, and that further research is required to identify the conditions under which belief in the paranormal is maladaptive.

Do fear of COVID-19 and religious coping predict depression, anxiety, and stress among the Arab population during health crisis?

The roles of fear of COVID-19 and religious coping were examined in relation to depression, anxiety, and stress. Participants (N = 259; 88% female; M_age = 32.96, SD = 8.88) completed measures of fear of COVID-19, religious coping, depression, anxiety, and stress. Results showed that fear of COVID-19 was associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. Negative religious coping was associated with depression, anxiety, and stress while positive religious coping was only associated with depression and stress. Fear of COVID-19 and negative religious coping may be detrimental to mental health while positive religious coping may reduce depression and stress.

A Possible Anti-anxiety Effect of Appetitive Aggression and a Possible Link to the Work of Donald Winnicott

Various pleasant sensations that give a particularly intense pleasure are able to improve anxiety. In the present study I consider the possibility that their anti-anxiety action depends on the strong pleasure they provide, and I propose a possible mechanism of this action. According to some studies, also appetitive aggression (an aggression that provokes a strong pleasure and that is performed only for the pleasure it provides) can improve anxiety, and in this article I consider the possibility that the pleasure of appetitive aggression is able to reduce anxiety by the same mechanism I have proposed for other intense pleasurable sensations. The aggression performed by a child against the mother or against a substitute for the mother in the first period of life (a period in which this aggression is not dangerous) is a recurring theme throughout the work of of Donald Winnicott. Winnicott stresses that this aggression is necessary for the normal development of the child, and that the child must be free to practise it. According to Winnicott, this aggression is highly pleasurable and is not a response to unpleasant or hostile external situations. For these characteristics it seems to correspond to appetitive aggression in the adult that has been found to be able to reduce anxiety. Consequently, aggression performed by the child in the first period of life may also relieve anxiety, in the same way that appetitive aggression helps against anxiety in the adult. In his writings, Winnicott returns several times to an unthinkable or archaic anxiety that children experience when they feel abandoned by their mother for a period that is too long for them, and all children, according to Winnicott, live on the brink of this anxiety. In this study I propose the hypothesis that aggression in the early period of life may be necessary for children because the intense pleasure it provides may help them against this continuously impending anxiety.

The Effect of Spirituality on the Subjective Recovery of Psychiatric Patients

Spiritual well-being is among the factors that affect subjective recovery. This study aimed to explore the relationship between subjective recovery and spiritual well-being among psychiatric patients and to identify the factors that affected their subjective recovery. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 96 patients admitted to the psychiatry clinic of a hospital. It was found that the patients had high subjective recovery assessment levels and medium levels of spiritual well-being. There was a positive association between the patients' subjective recovery assessments and their spiritual well-being, and spiritual well-being was a significant predictor of the subjective recovery level. It is recommended that mental health professionals focus on serving patients through a holistic healthcare approach and enhancing patients' subjective recovery levels through applications that will strengthen the spiritual dimension.

“Dies Irae?” The Role of Religiosity in Dealing with Psychological Problems Caused by The COVID-19 Pandemic—Studies on a Polish Sample

Based on Huber’s centrality of religiosity concept, a non-experimental research project was designed in a group of 178 women and 72 men, voluntary participants in online studies, quarantined at home during the first weeks (the first wave) of the pandemic, to determine whether and to what extent religiosity, understood as a multidimensional construct, was a predictor of the worsening of PTSD and depression symptoms in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study made use of CRS Huber’s scale to study the centrality of religiosity, Spitzer’s PHQ-9 to determine the severity of depression, and Weiss and Marmar’s IES-R to measure the symptoms of PTSD. Our study, which provided interesting and non-obvious insights into the relationship between the studied variables, did not fully explain the protective nature of religiosity in dealing with pandemic stress. Out of five components of religiosity understood in accordance with Huber’s concept (interest in religious issues, religious beliefs, prayer, religious experience, and cult), two turned out to contribute to modifications in the severity of psychopathological reactions of the respondents to stress caused by the pandemic during its first wave. A protective role was played by prayer, which inhibited the worsening of PTSD symptoms, whereas religious experience aggravated them. This means that in order to interpret the effect of religiosity on the mental functioning of the respondents in a time of crisis (the COVID-19 pandemic), we should not try to explain this effect in a simple and linear way, because religious life may not only bring security and solace, but also be a source of stress and an inner struggle.

Stress, Coping, and Psychiatric Symptoms in Pregnant Women in Outpatient Care During the 2021 Second-Wave COVID-19 Pandemic

Aims: Women face many sources of stress throughout their lives, and some periods are particularly sensitive; pregnancy is one of them. The COVID-19 pandemic is a likely source of additional stress for pregnant women. Moreover, there is evidence that pregnant women have experienced high levels of anxiety and depression symptoms during the pandemic. Our study aimed to evaluate the association of pregnancy-specific stress, pandemic-related stress, and coping strategies with anxiety, depressive and obsessive-compulsive symptomatology in Italian women during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (December 2020-June 2021). We also investigated whether there were differences in these levels of psychopathology compared to a prior study conducted during the first pandemic wave (April-August 2020) in Italian pregnant women. Methods: We assessed 325 pregnant women receiving outpatient prenatal care, using the Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (NuPDQ), Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress Scale (PREPS), the Revised Prenatal Coping Inventory (NuPCI), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) screening. The main analysis was conducted comparing multiple logistic regression models predicting each psychopathological outcome from specific covariates and NuPDQ, PREPS, and NuPCI scores. Results: 42.8% of the sample reported significant levels of anxiety, while 10.3% was positive on depression screening and 13.1% on OCD screening. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of high anxiety, depression, or OCD screening scores compared with the first pandemic wave. Controlling for covariates, we found that GAD-7 and PHQ-2 scores were predicted by pregnancy-specific stress; positive OCD screening was not. The model of high anxiety was improved by adding pandemic-related stress as a predictor (in particular, feeling unprepared for delivery and postpartum). Finally, coping strategies (avoidance, spiritual coping, and planning-preparation) significantly improved prediction of all three psychopathological outcomes. Conclusions: The present study suggests the importance of pregnancy-related stress, COVID-19 pandemic stress, and of coping strategies in counteracting or contributing to psychiatric symptomatology during the current pandemic.

The Impact of Fasting on the Psychological Well-Being of Muslim Graduate Students

The main objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of fasting on the psychological well-being of Muslim graduate students. In a single-group pretest posttest research design, students who intended to fast in the month of Ramadan were asked to respond to a psychological well-being scale and its subscales before and after the end of fasting month of Ramadan. Findings show that fasting led to the promotion of overall psychological well-being, self-acceptance, autonomy, positive relations, environmental mastery, and personal growth among students who fasted in this month.

RELIGIOUSITY, SPIRITUALITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF ELDERLY ACCORDING TO STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the relationship of sociodemographic predictors, morbidities, depression indicative score, as well as the mediating role of religiosity, spirituality and personal beliefs about quality of life. Method: cross-sectional study conducted between March and July 2016, with 613 elderly, applying the instruments; Spirituality, Religiousness and Personal Beliefs of World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire, Brief version of World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment for Older Adults. In the data analysis, through Statistical Package for Social Sciences, absolute and relative frequency, measures of central tendency and variability and modeling with structural equations involving exogenous and endogenous latent constructs were used to highlight the mediating role of religiosity, spirituality and beliefs between the indicative of depression and quality of life (p≤0.005). Results: females, 60┤70 years old, married, with 4├7 years of schooling, income of one minimum wage, 6.16±3.70 morbidities and average of 3.84±3.01 for the indicative depression score prevailed. The highest score was for the connection with spiritual being or strength facet, Social Relations domain and Intimacy; Totality and integration facet, the Environment domain and the Death and dying facet had the lowest scores. There was a mediating function of religiosity, spirituality and personal beliefs, between the indicative depression score and the quality of life. Conclusion: it is necessary to invest in the practice of religiosity, spirituality and personal beliefs, as a health strategy, since they have shown an impact on the decrease of depression and a significant increase in quality of life.

Opinions, Knowledge and Attitudes Concerning "Spirituality, Religiosity and Health" Among Health Graduates in a Spanish University

This study aims to investigate the opinions, knowledge and attitudes concerning spirituality, religiosity and health among 75 health MSc graduates from a Spanish university. The questionnaire "Religion and Spirituality in Medicine, Perspectives of Physicians" was used. Most students had low levels of religious activities, agreeing that S/R could have a high influence on the health professional-patient relationship (62.6%). Nevertheless, they felt little prepared to address these issues (90.6%) and believed that universities were not providing enough information on this topic (91.9%). The most common barriers for addressing R/S were insufficient time (34.7%) and fear of offending the patients (31.9%). Nurse students tended to believe more on the influence of R/S on patients' health and on the appropriateness of addressing R/S issues. However, religious beliefs were not associated with students' R/S opinions. The incorporation of such topic could potentially promote the spiritual sensitivity of health professionals, improving the holistic care.

The Correlation between Spirituality Level and Emotional Resilience in School-Aged Children in SDN Kayuringin Jaya South Bekasi

School-aged children are an age group with unstable emotional resilience. Negative emotional resilience will influence their emotional health. Based on these factors, school-aged children are at risk for a decrease in emotional resilience. Spiritual activity is one coping mechanism for those who have experienced stress because of negative emotional resilience. This research is a correlation study to understand the presence or absence of the relationship between spirituality level and emotional resilience of school-aged children in SDN Kayuringin Jaya VI and SDN Kayuringin Jaya VII, Bekasi Selatan, Indonesia. Respondents were 106 people taken from proportionate stratified. The results of a chi-square test showed a correlation between spirituality level and emotional resilience (p = 0.026). Based on this research, the researchers suggest school institutions optimize spiritual activity in school, which could be used to form positive emotional resilience.

Subjective Happiness, Health and Quality of Life and Their Sociocultural Correlates among Younger Population in Malawi

Public health research and policy in sub-Saharan Africa are generally disease-oriented, with the focus being largely confined within the biological determinants of health. So far, little attention has been given to developing a more health-oriented approach by emphasising the psychosocial dimensions of health, especially among the younger population. To this regard, we conducted the present study to assess the prevalence and sociocultural correlates of perceived happiness, health, and life satisfaction among the adolescent and young (15–24 years) population in Malawi. We analysed cross-sectional data on 12,610 men and women based on a Malawi multiple indicator cluster survey conducted in 2013–2014. Data were analysed using descriptive and multivariable regression methods. According to the findings, more than 80% of the men and women reported being satisfied about happiness, health, and life. Multivariate analysis showed an inverse relationship between being currently or formerly married and perceived happiness. Ethnic disparities in perceived health and happiness were more pronounced in men, whereas that of life satisfaction was more pronounced in women. Living in households of the highest wealth quintile was positively associated with health and life satisfaction, but not with happiness. These findings highlight the need for prioritising the psychosocial needs of the adolescent and youth populations in designing health and social policy in Malawi. The findings need to be interpreted in light of the factors specific to the sociocultural environment in Malawi.

Assessment of Depression and Anxiety in Breast Cancer Patients: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Introduction:

Having breast cancer or receiving treatment has been seen as a traumatic experience for women due to its impacts on their self-image and sexual relationship, and may lead to an psychological reactions such as denial, anger, or intense fear toward their disease and treatment process. Also many of breast cancer patients have psychiatric morbidities such as depression and anxiety.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients, in order to identify independent predictors of mental health disorders risk.

Material and Methods:

A cohort of 152 breast cancer patients who were attending an outpatient oncology department was recruited. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire consisted by social, clinical and demographic information and PHQ-2 and GAD-2 scales.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 53.25 years (SD=12.10), 69.7% of the patients underwent mastectomy and 30.3% ongectomy. Chemotherapy received 46.1% of patients as adjuvant therapy, 15.8% radiotherapy and 38.2% received both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A large percentage found to be classified as depressed (38.2%) and anxious (32.2%) and factors that found to be associated were age, marital status, educational level, stage of cancer from univariate analyses and place of residence, religion, symptoms burden from multivariate analysis (for depression and anxiety).

Conclusions:

Breast cancer patients are in high risk for developing psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. Being rural resident, non-Orthodox Christian and experiencing extend symptom burden can be predicting factors associated with depression and anxiety in breast cancer patients.

Spiritual and religious coping and depression among family caregivers of pediatric cancer patients in Latin America

OBJECTIVE

Several studies have shown that spiritual/religious beliefs are associated with mental health and quality of life. However, so far, no study assessed the relationship between spiritual/religious coping (SRC) and depressive symptoms in family caregivers (FCs) of pediatric cancer patients, particularly in Latin America. This study aimed to investigate whether Positive and Negative SRC strategies are associated with depressive symptoms in FCs of pediatric cancer patients in Brazil.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study comprising 77 FCs of pediatric cancer patients from one Brazilian Pediatric Oncology Institute. Spiritual/religious coping was assessed using the Brief SRC scale, and depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory. Multiple regression models were performed to identify factors associated with SRC of FCs and their depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

In the unadjusted linear regression models, depressive symptoms were positively associated with Negative SRC (B = 0.401; P < .001; Adjusted R²  = 16.1%) but not with Positive SRC (B = 0.111; P = .334). After adjusting for socio-demographics, religious practice/faith, and health, Negative SRC remained associated with depressive symptoms (B = 3.56; P = .01; Adjusted R²  = 37.8%). In the logistic regression models, depressive symptoms were positively associated with Negative SRC (OR = 3.68; 95% CI, 1.46-9.25; P = .006), but not with Positive SRC (OR = 1.49; 95% CI, .69-3.22; P = .309). After adjustments, Negative SRC remained significant (OR = 4.01; 95% CI, 1.21-13.33; P = .023).

CONCLUSIONS

Negative SRC was associated with depressive symptoms in FCs of pediatric cancer patients. Health professionals must be aware of the use of Negative SRC strategies in oncology care.

Religious Service Attendance and Lower Depression Among Women-a Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies on the association between religious service attendance and depression have been mostly cross-sectional, subject to reverse causation, and did not account for the potential feedback between religious service attendance and depression. We prospectively evaluated evidence whether religious service attendance decreased risk of subsequent risk of depression and whether depression increased subsequent cessation of service attendance, while explicitly accounting for feedback with potential effects in both directions.

METHOD

We included a total of 48,984 US nurses who were participants of the Nurses' Health Study with mean age 58 years and who were followed up from 1996 to 2008. Religious service attendance was self-reported in 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. Depression was defined as self-reported physician-diagnosed clinical depression, regular anti-depressant use, or severe depressive symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression and marginal structural models were used to estimate the odds ratio of developing incident depression, adjusted for baseline religious service attendance, baseline depression, and time-varying covariates.

RESULTS

Compared with women who never attended services, women who had most frequent and recent religious service attendance had the lowest risk of developing depression (odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.62-0.82). Compared with women who were not depressed, women with depression were less likely to subsequently attend religious services once or more per week (OR = 0.74, 95 % CI 0.68-0.80).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study of US women, there is evidence that higher frequency of religious service attendance decreased the risk of incident depression and women with depression were less likely to subsequently attend services.

Spiritual Factors Predict State and Trait Anxiety

This research study was designed to examine the effect of spiritual well-being and spirituality on state and trait anxiety. Two hundred and thirty-eight adults in the USA were surveyed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Duke University Religion Index, Spiritual Well-Being Scale, and Participant Questionnaire. Results indicate that spiritual well-being can predict 39.1 % of an adult's state anxiety and 37.9 % of trait anxiety. Furthermore, frequency of religious attendance, frequency of private religious activity, and intrinsic religiosity can predict 6.2 % of an adult's state anxiety and 8.6 % of trait anxiety. Recommendations for researchers and implications for clinicians are discussed.

Pertubação Obsessivo-Compulsiva e Religião: Uma Revisão Sistemática

<b><i>Introdução:</i></b> A relação entre perturbação obsessivo-compulsiva e religião tem vindo a ser estudada, quer na perturbação obsessivo-compulsiva com temas de religião quer nas outras formas de expressão da doença. Com este estudo pretendeu-se analisar a forma como as crenças religiosas podem influenciar as obsessões e compulsões de cada paciente, e vice-versa. <b><i>Métodos:</i></b> Foi efetuada uma pesquisa na PubMed seguida da aplicação de diversos critérios de acordo com as regras PRISMA para revisão sistemática. Foram selecionados 14 artigos que foram interpretados e relacionados entre si. <b><i>Resultados:</i></b> Verificou-se que existe uma estreita relação entre a religião e a perturbação obsessivo-compulsiva, existindo, contudo, um pequeno número de estudos que não confirma esta associação. A relação entre a religião e a perturbação obsessivo-compulsiva pode ser conceptualizada como causa ou como consequência, verificando-se que diferentes tipos de crenças têm diferentes efeitos no pensamento e, por esse meio, influenciam a apresentação clínica da doença. <b><i>Discussão:</i></b> Em suma, a perturbação obsessivo-compulsiva é fortemente influenciada pelas crenças religiosas dos pacientes. Futuras investigações poderão ajudar a esclarecer esta interação com vista a melhor compreender e tratar os doentes com elevados níveis de religiosidade.

Religião e transtornos mentais na perspectiva de profissionais de saúde, pacientes psiquiátricos e seus familiares

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi compreender as percepções de profissionais de saúde, pacientes e seus familiares com relação à religião e aos transtornos psiquiátricos. Estudo etnográfico. Para análise, foi utilizada a análise de conteúdo. Categorias identificadas: 1. Vivência religiosa/espiritualidade como fator que fortalece o indivíduo no enfrentamento da doença; 2. Vivência religiosa/espiritualidade como fator que dificulta o tratamento; 3. Dificuldades do profissional de lidar com a vivência religiosa/espiritualidade de pacientes e familiares. É necessário reconhecer a necessidade de uma abordagem cultural do tema. Muitas perguntas se mantêm sem respostas e desafiam os estudiosos da área.

Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Chinese version of the 5-item Duke University Religion Index

Background

The Duke University Religion Index (DUREL) is a widely-used 5-item scale assessing religiosity.

Aim

Assess the internal consistency, reliability, and factor structure of the revised Chinese version of DUREL.

Methods

Using probability proportionate to size (PPS) methods we randomly identified 3981 households with eligible occupants in 20 primary sampling sites in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, a province in northwest China in which 34% of the population are Muslims of the Hui ethnic group. In 3054 households a screening interview was completed and an adult family member was randomly selected; 2425 respondents completed the survey (including the DUREL) and 188 randomly selected individuals repeated the survey an average of 2.5 days later.

Results

The internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) of the 5 items in the full sample was 0.90; it ranged from 0.70 to 0.90 in various subgroups of subjects stratified by ethnicity, urban versus rural residence, and above versus below median education. The test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient) for the total score in the full sample was 0.87; it ranged from 0.63 to 0.90 in the different subgroups of subjects. Exploratory factor analysis in a random half of the sample identified a single factor (eigen value=4.21) that explained 84% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis in the second half of the sample confirmed the unidimensional model; the model fit measures of the one-factor model using the 5 item scores as observed variables were acceptable (comparative fit index [CFI] and Tucker-Lewis index [TLI]>0.99; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=0.105; χ² =70.49, df=5), but the model fit improved after adding the correlation between items 1 and 2 (that assess organized and personal religious activities, respectively) as a sixth observed variable(CFI and TLI>0.99; RMSEA=0.046; χ² =14.32, df=4).

Conclusion

The Chinese version of the DUREL is a reliable and valid measure of religiosity that can be used to assess the relationship of religiosity/spirituality to physical and psychological wellbeing in Chinese respondents. As suggested by other authors, our factor analysis results indicate that the overall score is the best measure derived from the scale, not the three dimensional scores recommended by the original authors.

Neuropeptide AF induces anxiety-like and antidepressant-like behavior in mice

Little is known about the action of neuropeptide AF (NPAF) on anxiety and depression. Only our previous study provides evidence that NPAF induces anxiety-like behavior in rats. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the action of NPAF on depression-like behavior and the underlying neurotransmissions in mice. In order to determine whether there are species differences between rats and mice, we have investigated the action of NPAF on anxiety-like behavior in mice as well. A modified forced swimming test (mFST) and an elevated plus maze test (EPMT) were used to investigate the depression and anxiety-related behaviors, respectively. Mice were treated with NPAF 30min prior to the tests. In the mFST, the animals were pretreated with a non-selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, atropine, a non-selective 5-HT2 serotonergic receptor antagonist, cyproheptadine, a mixed 5-HT1/5-HT2 serotonergic receptor antagonist, methysergide, a D2/D3/D4 dopamine receptor antagonist, haloperidol, a α1/α2β-adrenergic receptor antagonist, prazosin or a non-selective β-adrenergic receptor antagonist, propranolol 30min before the NPAF administration. In the mFST, NPAF decreased the immobility time and increased the climbing and swimming times. This action was reversed completely by methysergide and partially by atropine, whereas cyproheptadine, haloperidol, prazosin and propranolol were ineffective. In the EPMT, NPAF decreased the time spent in the arms (open/open+closed). Our results demonstrate that NPAF induces anti-depressant-like behavior in mice, which is mediated, at least in part, through 5HT2-serotonergic and muscarinic cholinergic neurotransmissions. In addition, the NPAF-induced anxiety is species-independent, since it develops also in mice.