The impact of religious-psychological factors on self-perceived sport performance among religious athletes in Malaysia

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which religious-psychological factors contribute to self-perceived sport performance among religious athletes.

METHODS

The participants consisted of 612 athletes (310 males, 302 females) aged 12-70 years (mean age = 25.33; SD = 8.99) who were competing in sport competitions at the time, either individually or in a team, or both, and who had formally registered in local, regional, or national sport federations in Malaysia. They completed the Athletic Religious Faith Scale (ARFS) and a self-perceived sport performance questionnaire.

RESULTS

The results showed that religious-psychological factors explain around 21% of the variance in self-perceived sport performance among religious athletes. Only three religious-psychological factors (i.e., religious coping, athletic identity, and religious dietary practices) contributed to the stimulation of self-perceived sport performance; in particular, religious coping was the most predictable factor, whereas the other factors (i.e., dependence on faith, flow, religious mental healing, and religious psychological effects) had no meaningful relationship with self-perceived sport performance.

CONCLUSIONS

This finding suggests that sport psychologists, coaches, and other professionals should consider the importance of religious faith and help religious athletes practice positive religious coping (e.g., religious social support or religious meditation) to enhance athletes' well-being and athletic performance.

Do Religion and Spirituality Buffer the Effect of Childhood Trauma on Depressive Symptoms? Examination of a South Asian Cohort from the USA

Asian Americans have been identified as a racial group that is disproportionately affected by childhood trauma. The goal of this study was  to assess if religion/spirituality moderate the effects of childhood trauma on adult depressive symptoms among a sample of South Asians in the USA. Our analysis drew from the study on stress, spirituality, and health (SSSH) questionnaire fielded in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study (n = 990) during 2016-2018. A series of regression models with multiplicative interaction terms were conducted. Emotional neglect, emotional abuse, and physical neglect were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Higher religious attendance and negative religious coping techniques were found to exacerbate this relationship. There were two findings conditional on gender. Among men, gratitude and positive religious coping also exacerbated the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms. Negative religious coping also exacerbated the association between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms for women. This is the first community-based study of US South Asians to consider the association between various forms of childhood trauma and depressive symptom outcomes. South Asians remain an understudied group in the religion and health literature, and this study sheds light on the important differences in the function and effectiveness of religion/spirituality for those faced with early life trauma.

The Meaning of Life and Religious Coping in the Fight Against Cancer: A Study with Oncology Patients in Brazil in Light of Viktor Frankl's Theory

This study aimed to describe the perception of the meaning of life and coping strategies of 19 patients with cancer at a public hospital in Brazil. This is descriptive and qualitative research that used Amedeo Giorgi's phenomenological model, and the interpretation was performed in light of Viktor Frankl's theory. Two themes have emerged: (1) the perception of the meaning of life in the experience with cancer and (2) religious coping to fight the disease. This study showed that revealing the meaning of life in the cancer experience contributes to better treatment compliance, a more favorable view of the future and better quality of life. On the other hand, religious coping is the strategy most used by patients who believe in God, showing a greater state of psychological and spiritual well-being.

Religious Coping and Mental Adjustment to Cancer Among Polish Adolescents

Adults suffering from chronic illnesses are more likely to look to God for support (positive religious coping; PRC) than to fight against God (negative religious coping; NRC). What about when cancer occurs during adolescence-a period of questioning the worldview and values, and at the same time searching for the sacred? Our study aimed to establish the relationships between PRC, NRC, and mental adjustment to cancer among youth and determine support's role in these relationships. The study was conducted in Poland and included 88 adolescent cancer patients who completed the Brief RCOPE and the Mini-MAC. Additionally, general well-being and support were assessed. We found that PRC was positively related to constructive adjustment style (CAS), whereas NCR was related to destructive adjustment style (DAS). Adolescents with cancer were higher in PRC than in NRC and were higher in CAS than in DAS. In young women, CAS was higher than in men. Finally, at a level of received support rated as very high, PRC promoted fighting spirit and well-being.

"God is in Control": Religious Coping in Sermons About the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Reformed Church in Zambia

Coping is one of the mechanisms employed by people to deal with crises or disasters such as the global COVID-19 pandemic. The RCOPE, developed by Kenneth Pargament et al., is a quantitative scale to measure styles of religious coping. This article applies the RCOPE qualitatively to live-streamed sermons in the Reformed Church in Zambia, held in the two-month lockdown period in Zambia from the end of March to the end of May 2020. A total of 20 pastors contributed 134 sermons that were transcribed and analyzed using the full RCOPE. The results show that pastors in the RCZ mainly encourage their audiences to seek spiritual support, gain control over the situation, and give a positive meaning to the pandemic. The idea that God is in control is important behind all of these means of religious coping in the Zambian sermons. This qualitative analysis also discovered possible lacunae in the RCOPE questionnaire, especially concerning its applicability to evangelical forms of global Christianity, such as the lack of attention to God's intervention and control.

"We Never Stop Singing": The Dynamics of the Mental and Physical Health of Czech Religious Pastors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study explores the dynamics of coping strategies of Czech religious leaders during a peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. An interpretative phenomenological analysis reveals that mental health among pastors is closely linked to a need to maintain community and social contact, while physical health is related to limitations upon ritual elements. In all narratives, the lived experience of mental health in the form of prosocial behavior is significantly prioritized despite the possibility of spreading infection. The analysis also shows that maintaining the community is closely linked to risky behaviors, which positively affected group and individual well-being.

Religious Tourism and Its Impact on Spiritual, Physical, and Mental Health: Insights from Pilgrims to Iranian Saints' Shrines

This study investigates pilgrims' justifications for visiting Iran's Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S) and the positive role of such pilgrimages in their religious coping experiences and healing practices. The research confirms that pilgrims strongly associate shrines in Iran with religious coping benefits and spiritual, mental, physical, and ritual healing. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and purposive sampling. Behavioural strategies, religious beliefs, and spiritual concepts are considered. The findings reveal that faith and spirituality play a vital role in how individuals perceive and cope with mental and physical health issues when visiting shrines.

Structural equation modeling of microaggressions, religious and racism-related coping, medication adherence, and viral load among Black women living with HIV

Despite the disproportionate impact of HIV, microaggressions, and discrimination among Black women living with HIV (BWLWH), BWLWH have demonstrated resilience by mobilizing religious and other coping strategies. The current study sought to examine whether racism-related or religious coping moderates the relationship between latent gendered racial microaggressions (GRMs), antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and viral load (VL) among 119 BWLWH. Data was collected via self-report measures of GRMs and coping. ART adherence was measured via self-report and electronic monitoring and VL was measured via blood specimens. Structural equation modeling showed significant main effects of religious coping on adherence and VL. Furthermore, GRMs × racism-related coping and GRMs × religious coping significantly predicted adherence and VL. Our findings indicate the unique and culturally salient role of religious and racism-related coping among BWLWH in the context of GRMs. Such findings may be optimized in the development of culturally relevant multilevel interventions for BWLWH.

Religious and Spiritual Coping Elements in Dealing with Chronic Diseases: A Qualitative Exploration of the Perspectives of Older Iranian Zoroastrians

Religiosity is a desirable alternative coping strategy for many people when facing negative life events including age-related infirmities and stressors. Religious coping mechanisms (RCMs) have been investigated meagerly with regard to religious minorities around the world and, to the best of current knowledge, no study has been conducted on Iranian Zorostrians to explore their religious coping mechanisms in dealing with age-related chronic diseases. This qualitative research, therefore, was aimed to canvas perceptions about RCMs that are utilized by Iranian Zoroastrian older adults to deal with chronic diseases in the city of Yazd, Iran. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposefully selected fourteen Zoroastrian older patients and four Zoroastrian priests in 2019. The main extracted themes included performing certain religious behaviors and having sincere religion-based beliefs as employed mechanisms for better coping with their chronic diseases. Prevalent dilemmas/barriers with mitigating impact on the coping capacities in dealing with a persistent illness was another predominant identified theme. Identification of RCMs that religious and ethnic minorities are using to better confront diverse life events, such as chronic diseases, could pave the path to expand new approaches in planing sustainable disease management and proactive quality of life improvement initiatives.

Psychometric Properties of the Haitian Creole Brief Religious Coping Scale (RCOPE) with a Sample of Adult Haitians Impacted by the 2010 Earthquake

The current study investigated the psychometric properties of the Haitian Creole version of the Brief Religious Coping Scale (Brief RCOPE). A total of 256 adult survivors of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti completed the Brief RCOPE and measures of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, resilience, general coping, and posttraumatic growth. The results showed the Brief RCOPE to have excellent internal consistency reliability α = .94 and α = .85 for the positive religious coping and negative religious coping, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis showed construct validity for the Brief RCOPE subscales. The results also showed evidence of convergent validity of the Brief RCOPE in relation to measures of positive spiritual change and religion. Independent t-tests revealed statistically significant gender differences in scores on the positive religious coping subscales as women scored higher than men. These findings suggest that the psychometric properties of the Haitian Creole version of the Brief RCOPE are adequate for the assessment of religious coping with Haitian adults exposed to a natural disaster.

Religious Coping and Fatalism on Perception of Care Burden in Caregivers of Patients with Cerebral Palsy in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional and Correlational Study

Providing care to a patient with cerebral palsy can have many negative impacts upon caregivers. This study was carried out to define caregiving burden in the caregivers of cerebral palsy patients and determine the relationships between religious coping, fatalism, and burden of care. This cross-sectional and correlational study included 132 caregivers. Data were obtained using the Religious Coping Scale, the Fatalism Scale, and the Caregiver Burden Scale. It was determined that 18.9% of the participants experienced a heavy care burden. The luck and pessimism dimensions of the Fatalism Scale were positively and weakly correlated with caregiving burden (p < 0.01), while there was no correlation between caregiving burden and positive or negative religious coping styles (p > 0.05). Perception of fatalism explained 10% of the total variance in caregiving burden (R = 0.329, R² = 0.109, F = 5.195, p = 0.002). It is recommended that caregivers be supported by religious experts to strengthen positive religious coping styles and advisable fatalism perceptions.

Islamic Civilizations and Plagues: The Role of Religion, Faith and Psychology During Pandemics

The current study seeks to analyze Muslim experiences of communicative diseases with a focus on the psychosocial impacts and public, communal, and personal responses of Muslim populations throughout history. By examining a selection of plague outbreaks between the 8-19th centuries across the lands broadly defined as the Islamic Mediterranean (Varlık, 2017), the guidelines and coping mechanisms that Muslims extracted from their traditional sources are highlighted. This historical perspective contributes to a better understanding of the psychological and social aspects of pandemics for the Muslim community, specifically for the role played by faith and spirituality as determinants of psychological well-being in Muslims' perceptions and responses. We suggest that such an understanding is especially useful for contemporary mental health practitioners working with Muslim patients through the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The Spiritual and Religious Coping of Mothers with Disabled Children in Turkey: Correlation Between Stress Coping Styles and Self-Efficacy

This study aimed to determine the correlation between stress coping styles and self-efficacy with regard to the spiritual and religious coping of mothers with disabled children. The descriptive and relational screening model was used in this study. The research was completed with 227 mothers in a private rehabilitation center at Turkey. The data were collected using Maternal Spiritual Coping, Religious Coping Styles, Stress Coping Styles Scales (SCSS), and General Self-Efficacy Scales. As a result of the study, there was a statistically advanced degree of significant correlation in a positive direction between effective coping with stress and spiritual coping (p < 0.001), and a negative significant correlation between ineffective coping with stress and general self-efficacy (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a negative significant correlation between the SCSS-effective coping dimension with the SCSS-ineffective coping points (p < 0.05). The high level of spiritual coping of mothers and its effect on coping with stress is an important result. For the participation of children with disabilities and their parents in society, it is essential to identify components such as mental health and spiritual coping that will improve mothers' mental health so that mothers can effectively cope with the difficulties they experience.

Turning to Religion During COVID-19 (Part II): A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Meta-regression of Studies on the Relationship between Religious Coping and Mental Health throughout COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic and the many associated socio-economic changes constitute a stressful event that required adaptation to new, dynamic, and often threatening conditions. According to the literature, coping strategies are one of the factors that determine a person's degree of adaptation to stressful situations. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed on the relationship between religious coping and selected indicators of mental health. Due to the large amount of data, this work has been divided into two parts: Part I discussed the positive mental health indicators (Pankowski & Wytrychiewicz-Pankowska, 2023), while this Part II discusses negative mental health indicators. A systematic review of the databases of Science Direct, EBSCO, Cochrane, PubMed, and Google Scholar identified 33 articles related to the severity of depressive symptoms: 30 to anxiety, 23 to stress, 1 related to PTSD symptoms and peritraumatic stress, and 5 related to general negative mental health. The limitations of the research as well as further directions for exploration are discussed.Clinical trial registration This Review was pre-registered at OSF: osf.io/54ygr ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/GMNFV ).

Asian Hate, Minority Stress, and Religious Coping: A Study of Asian and Asian American Adults in the USA During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Despite long being the target of racism, Asians and Asian Americans remain an understudied group regarding the mental health implications of racism. Even less is known about how Asians and Asian Americans may use religion to cope with racism and the resulting mental health implications. In this study, 330 Asian and Asian American adults from various regions of the USA were surveyed. The study results suggest that negative religious coping was associated with worsening depression, anxiety, and stress, particularly among Asian Indians, Asian Hindus, and Asian Muslims. In addition, negative religious coping may have exacerbated the deleterious effects of racism on mental health. Surprisingly, positive religious coping failed to provide any protection against racism-related mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Turning to Religion During COVID-19 (Part I): A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Meta-regression of Studies on the Relationship Between Religious Coping and Mental Health Throughout COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic and the many associated socio-economic changes constitute a stressful event that required adaptation to new, dynamic, and often threatening conditions. According to the literature, coping strategies are one of the factors that determine a person's degree of adaptation to stressful situations. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed on the relationship between religious coping and selected indicators of mental health. Due to the large amount of data, this work has been divided into two parts: this first part discusses positive mental health indicators, while the second discusses negative mental health indicators (Pankowski & Wytrychiewicz-Pankowska, 2023). A systematic review of PubMed, Science Direct, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and Google Scholar databases was carried out. In addition to the synthesis of information obtained from the research, a meta-analysis of correlation was also performed to determine the strengths of the relationships between the analysed variables, and selected moderators were assessed using meta-regression. Quality of life, well-being, satisfaction with life, happiness, and post-traumatic growth were the positive mental health indicators considered. Meta-analyses indicated a statistically significant relationship between positive religious coping and flourishing (well-being) with overall correlation values of 0.35 [0.30; 0.40]. Further calculations also indicated a relationship between negative religious coping and flourishing - 0.25 [- 0.34; - 0.15]. Data synthesis shows associations between religious coping and such indicators as satisfaction with life and post-traumatic growth, but these issues require further investigation.

Post-traumatic Growth in Cancer Patients: A Correlational Study in Turkey

This study aims to evaluate the factors that influence post-traumatic growth (PTG), including religious coping and resilience. This descriptive and correlational study involved 111 cancer patients, followed up at a hematology inpatient clinic of a university hospital in Turkey. Religious coping scale, resilience scale, and PTG inventory were used for data collection. PTG was positively associated with negative religious coping and was negatively associated with age. PTG scores were higher for patients without children, who were recently diagnosed, had higher knowledge about the disease, and used negative religious coping.

Religiosity, Religious Coping and Distress Among Outpatients with Psychosis in Singapore

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of religious coping and explore the association between religious coping, religiosity, and distress symptoms amongst 364 outpatients diagnosed with psychosis in Singapore. Positive and Negative Religious Coping (PRC and NRC), religiosity (measuring the constructs of Organised Religious Activity (ORA), Non-Organised Religious Activity (NORA), and Intrinsic Religiosity (IR)) and severity of distress symptoms (depression, anxiety and stress) were self-reported by the participants. The majority of participants (68.9%) reported religion to be important in coping with their illness. Additionally, multiple linear regression analyses found that NRC was significantly associated with higher symptoms of distress. In contrast, ORA was significantly associated with lower anxiety symptom scores. Overall, the study indicates the importance of religion in coping with psychosis and the potential value in incorporating religious interventions in mental health care.

Coping, Meaning Making and Resilience Within the Dutch Reformed Pietist Community During the COVID-19 Outbreak: An Exploratory Qualitative Study

In this qualitative study, we examined how community members of the Dutch reformed pietist community coped with the COVID-19 pandemic, and which religious sources of meaning making and resilience they used during this time of crisis. Based on seven in-depth interviews, we found that the representation of God being 'above all things' was prominent in times of close encounter with the coronavirus. In actively interpreting the pandemic, community members tended to stay away from concrete eschatological or ecological interpretations. Rather, the general theme of 'malleability' was used and linked to notions of calling and punishment. Furthermore, we identified the importance of community and scepticism towards the government as sources of resilience, whereas thinking about the future of the church was a source of fear and concern.

The Effect of Religious Coping on the Satisfaction with Life Among Turkish Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with life-threatening features due to uncomfortable symptoms such as dyspnea decreases satisfaction with life. This study aims to determine the effect of religious coping methods on satisfaction with life in patients with COPD in Turkey. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with patients who had COPD for at least a year (n = 149). The positive religious coping levels of the patients were high while their negative religious coping levels were low and their levels of satisfaction with life were below average. A positive correlation was found between the positive religious coping levels and satisfaction with life of the patients (p < 0.05). The patients' age, general health levels, economic status, state of meeting their daily needs and usage of positive religious coping were the factors that significantly affected their levels of satisfaction with life, and these factors explained 38% of the total variance in the patients' satisfaction with life. It is important to evaluate religious coping in increasing the satisfaction with life of COPD patients who receive treatment in health institutions.

Investigation of Acceptance of Illness and Religious Coping in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever in Turkey

This study aimed to determine the Acceptance of Illness and use of religious coping in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 209 FMF patients, who came to be examined in the Rheumatology outpatient clinic of a Training and Research Hospital in Turkey between June and October 2020. Data were obtained using a Patient Information Form, the Acceptance of Illness Scale, and the Religious Coping Styles Scale. The patients' mean Acceptance of Illness score was 21.14 ± 8.44 (moderate level), their mean positive religious coping score was 20.46 ± 5.97, and their mean negative religious coping score was 10.63 ± 5.01. There was a weak, negative correlation between the patients' Acceptance of Illness and their negative religious coping. Nurses should help patients to develop their Religious Coping Styles by taking into consideration their beliefs, values, cultural, and social backgrounds.

Depression and Religious Coping in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome in Turkey

Psychological health problems such as depression, anxiety and feelings of distress are often seen in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Religious coping in dealing with psychological health problems is one of the methods commonly used by cardiac patients. This study was conducted to determine the depression levels and religious coping methods of individuals diagnosed with ACS and identify the relationship between their positive or negative religious coping methods and their depression levels. The descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 253 ACS patients. In the study, the depression levels of most patients were low, but 19.8% showed moderate-severe depressive symptoms. It was found that the patients adopted positive religious coping styles on a high level, but there was no significant relationship between positive religious coping and depression levels (p > 0.05). It is recommended that health professionals also closely monitor ACS patients for depressive symptoms after their diagnosis, encouraging patients to use positive religious coping styles to support their well-being and recovery against this life-threatening disease.

Trusting in God: Religious and Spiritual Support in Mental Health Treatment Expectations in Mexico

Religious and spiritual practices have been identified as a main source of mental health support for Latinxs to improve overall health and well-being. This qualitative secondary data analysis sought to elucidate how Mexican patients and family members engaged in religious and spiritual practices to help alleviate patients' experiences of mental illness. Three main findings are discussed: (1) positive religious coping such as entrusting God with one's suffering, consejos (i.e., emotional support and advice giving), and positive social supports through religious communities; (2) negative religious coping such as harmful views of God as punishing; and (3) indigenous healing practices such as engagement with curanderos (medicine doctor) and limpias (i.e., herb-based cleanses). The authors discuss these findings in the context of tensions between culturally sanctioned healing and the perception of psychotherapeutic effectiveness reported by Mexican patients and their family members. The authors also provide future directions for incorporating patients' religious and spiritual practices into multiculturally competent treatment.

The Relationship between Alexithymia, Psychological Well-Being and Religious Coping in Fibromyalgia Patients in Turkey

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between alexithymia, psychological well-being, and religious coping in fibromyalgia patients. This study was planned as a descriptive and cross-sectional research design. The sample consisted of 175 fibromyalgia patients. Data were collected using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, the Psychological Well-being Scale, and the Religious Coping Scale. Data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation test and Multiple Linear Regression analysis. A negative correlation was found between alexithymia and negative religious coping (r = - 0.377, p = 0.000). A positive correlation was found between psychological well-being and negative religious coping (r = 0.364, p = 0.000). The alexithymia was predicted by psychological well-being level (β = - 0.629), positive (β = 0.170) and negative (β = - 0.216) religious coping levels (p < 0.05). Negative and positive religious coping strategies can affect psychological well-being and expressive thinking in patients with FMS.

Enacted Ebola Stigma and Health-related Quality of Life in Post Ebola Epidemic: A Psychosocial Mediation Framework Through Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and Coping

On-site experiences and reports have shown that the multiple outbreaks of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) resulted in pervasive experience of stigma against many people who have recovered from EVD as well as their families and close relatives. Three evidence-based protective factors which are supposed to mitigate the impact of enacted Ebola stigma on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of individuals in this epidemic context were identified. We expected that positive religious coping, perceived social support, and general self-efficacy would mediate the relationship between enacted Ebola stigma and HRQoL. These hypotheses were tested through multiple mediation model using the structural equation modeling among a large sample of adult populations (N = 1614; 50% women) in the province of Equateur in the DRC, in the aftermath of the 9th Ebola outbreak. The mediation model yielded adequate fit statistics and the results provided strong evidence that higher levels of enacted Ebola stigma were associated with lower HRQoL. They confirmed the synergetic mediating effects of positive religious coping, perceived social support from family (but not from others sources) and general self-efficacy. Futher exploratory findings revealed that the perceived social support from family buffered the impact of enacted Ebola stigma on HRQoL. If replicated by a longitudinal study, our findings lay a solid foundation for empirical-based community mental health interventions for reducing enacted Ebola stigma and promoting HRQoL during epidemics, especially in the DRC.

The Effect of Religious Coping on Disease Acceptance and Management Among Patients with Diabetes in Turkey

Religious coping is considered an important factor for assisting with the management of chronic diseases. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between religious coping and disease acceptance and management among patients with diabetes. A total of 504 individuals with type 2 diabetes were included in this descriptive-correlational study. In this study, individuals who did not use their medications regularly, those who did not pay attention to their diet and those who did not exercise regularly had higher levels of positive religious coping. No significant relationship was found between the level of acceptance of illness and religious coping styles among participants with diabetes. However, it was found out that there was a positive relationship between HbA₁C levels and the mean score of positive religious coping and positive religious coping accounted for 7% of the total variance in the glycemic control parameter.

Correlation between religious coping, demographic and fertility factors, and pregnancy anxiety of Iranian primiparous women: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Anxiety during pregnancy can have side effects for both the mother and the baby. Therefore, it is necessary to study the factors that affect anxiety during pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the role of religious coping and demographic and fertility factors in predicting pregnancy anxiety in Iranian primiparous women.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study on 300 primiparous women (n = 100 in each trimester of pregnancy) referred to seven health centers affiliated to the Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The sampling method was multistage. It lasted from July 2018 till August 2019. Data collection tools included the demographic and fertility questionnaire, valid and reliable Iranian Religious Coping Scale (IRCS), and standard State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

RESULTS

Religious practices, benevolent reappraisal, and active religious coping had a significant inverse relationship with state and trait anxiety. Whereas negative and passive religious coping had a significant direct relationship with state and trait anxiety. The mean scores of state anxiety had a significant relationship with the women's education, spouse's education and occupation, economic status and housing status. There was no relationship between state anxiety and fertility variables. Based on multiple linear regression, negative and active religious coping predicted 27% of state anxiety and 15% of trait anxiety. Among these two variables, the negative religious coping was the more effective in predicting state and trait anxiety.

CONCLUSION

With increasing positive religious coping, the anxiety of pregnant women decreased. Whereas with increasing negative religious coping, their anxiety increased. Our results emphasize the role of negative religious coping in predicting pregnancy anxiety.

Mediated Associations Between Religious Coping, Self-Regulation, and Psychological Distress Vary for Young Muslim Men and Women in Lahore, Pakistan

The main aim of the study was to assess the direct, mediated, and conditional mediated associations among religious coping, self-regulation, and psychological distress in young Muslim adults while analyzing gender as a moderator of these mediated associations. Based on a sample of 247 young adults from Lahore, Pakistan (M age = 21.31, SD = 2.40; 51% women, 49% men), it was found that self-regulation mediated the negative associations of positive religious coping with stress and anxiety and the positive association of negative religious coping with stress. Further, it was found that mediated associations were stronger and significant in young men compared to women. The implications of the findings concerning gender differences in association between religious coping, self-regulation, and psychological distress are discussed.

The Relation Between Religious Coping, Adjustment to Fertility, Being Affected by Infertility, and Satisfaction with Life in Turkish Women with Infertility

Religion has been an important tool in treating the difficulties expereinced by infertile females. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between religious coping styles and infertility adjustment, infertility distress, and satisfaction with life in a group of women with infertility problems. The study was a cross-sectional study that involved a convenience sample of 168 women with infertility living in Turkey. A weak negative correlation was found between women's positive religious coping and infertility distress. There was no significant correlation between women's negative religious coping and their infertility adjustment, infertility distress, and satisfaction with life.

Does pain after delivery unequivocally lead to postpartum depression? The moderating role of religious coping

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this work is to explore whether the relationship between pain after delivery and postpartum depression is increased or decreased by the use of religion as a coping strategy (moderation).

METHODS

A longitudinal cohort study was conducted. The sample was evaluated on three occasions: third trimester of pregnancy (religious coping), after birth (pain severity) and four months after delivery (postpartum depression). Participants were 122 women (mean age = 31.29; SD = 4.9: range = [22, 42 years]) with low obstetric risk.

RESULTS

Both pain severity and religious coping contributed to postpartum depression (r = .20, p = .029 and r = .28, p = .04, respectively). Religious coping exacerbated the relationship between pain after delivery and postpartum depression (B = -0.11, t = -2.48, p = .014, [-0.20, -0.02]). Depression was highest in participants using religious coping irrespective of pain severity levels.

CONCLUSION

These findings support the importance of person-environment interaction studies and provide new evidence on the deleterious role of religious coping in the well-being of women after childbirth.

Determining the Religious Coping Styles of Adolescents in Turkey During COVID-19

We sought to evaluate the religious coping styles of adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its restrictions. The study was conducted online during the 2020 academic year among students in three randomly selected high schools in a city center located in Eastern Turkey. The students studying in the chosen high schools who agreed to participate were included in the study (n = 514). We found that most adolescents were anxious, had been affected in terms of health and life satisfaction, and felt sad due to isolation. Almost all subjects attached importance to their religious beliefs. The adolescents' mean Religious Coping Scale score was 2.23 ± 0.50, their mean Positive Religious Coping subscale score was 2.91 ± 0.73, and their mean Negative Religious Coping subscale score was 1.54 ± 0.52. Specifically, male adolescents of ages 15-17 whose incomes were less than their expenditures and who lived in a broken family had the highest level of negative religious coping. In light of these findings, adolescents can be supported by teaching them to develop positive religious coping styles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Relationship of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Levels with Religious Coping Strategies Among Turkish Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The aim of this study was to investigate the depression, anxiety, stress levels, and religious coping strategies of Turkish pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the pregnant women involved in this study (N = 327), 74.6% were concerned about their health, whereas 85.9% had concerns about the health of the fetus during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was found that 19.9% had extremely severe depression, 97.9% had extremely severe anxiety, and 52.3% had severe stress symptoms. Religious coping scores of the pregnant women included in the study were found to be high. There was a weak positive correlation between positive religious coping and depression and a very weak negative correlation between negative religious coping and depression.

Religious Coping Amidst a Pandemic: Impact on COVID-19-Related Anxiety

Religious coping is one potential strategy to manage stressors. Positive religious coping has been linked to better physical and mental health outcomes, while negative religious coping has been associated with increased stress and anxiety. The primary objective of this study was to examine individuals' use of religious coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and religious coping in a national sample of 970 individuals located within the USA recruited via Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) between September 12, 2020, and September 25, 2020. Findings indicate negative religious coping is most strongly associated with COVID-19 anxiety, as higher levels of negative religious coping were positively related to COVID-19 anxiety. In a moderated multiple regression wherein positive religious coping and negative religious coping were included in an interaction term, only negative religious coping was significantly associated with COVID-19 anxiety. This may have been due, in part, because individual's typical religious engagement was disrupted by social distancing and isolation measures. When accounting for participant age, sex, religious beliefs and behaviors, and negative religious coping, positive religious coping was negatively, although weakly, associated with COVID-19 anxiety. These findings suggest that negative religious coping has a stronger association with COVID-19 anxiety than positive religious coping.

Risk Perception and Protective Behavior in the Context of COVID-19: a Qualitative Exploration

As a result of the devastating health effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, the lockdown has been considered a safety measure in many countries. In Pakistan, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in February 2020. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate people’s risk perception and protective behavior during the lockdown. Twenty-two (22) participants from eight big cities across Pakistan were interviewed. A six-step reflective thematic analysis was used for data analysis. The study focused on risk perception and protective behaviors. Our main analytical goal was to understand how risk perception shapes human behavior in the context of lockdown, pandemic-related information flow, and corresponding meaning-making. The study revealed that people influenced by information and advice campaigns form a perception of risk that has shaped their protective behavior. They used familiar means of coping with distress, including the search for strength through religious belief practices and following the precautions recommended by health professionals through the media.

The Effect of Religious Coping on Hope Level of Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Religious coping and hope are among factors that affect the disease, treatment compliance, psychological health and quality of life of cancer patients. The aim of this study was to determine the level of hope and religious coping styles of cancer patients, and to determine the relationship between religious coping and hope. The study was carried out descriptively and cross-sectionally with 133 patients receiving chemotherapy in an oncology center. In the study, the level of hope and positive religious coping of the patients were high and their level of negative religious coping was low. It was determined that there was a positive relationship between positive religious coping style and hope levels of patients, and positive religious coping style was a significant predictor of hope level. While patients are dealing with cancer diagnosis and treatment, it is recommended that health care professionals primarily focus on providing these patients a service with a holistic care approach and developing their hope with practices that will strengthen their positive religious coping styles.

Associations Between Religious/Spiritual Coping and Depression Among Adults with Cystic Fibrosis: A 12-Month Longitudinal Study

Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) face a challenging disease, and depression is a significant concern. Many patients draw on religious/spiritual resources to assist them in managing the demands of chronic illness; however, these coping efforts rarely have been evaluated among adults with CF. This longitudinal study examined relationships between distinct types of positive and negative religious/spiritual coping at baseline (assessed with the RCOPE) and depression screening outcomes 12 month later (assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). In logistic regression analyses controlling for disease severity (FEV₁% predicted), lower likelihood of depression caseness at 12 months was predicted by higher general religiousness at baseline, greater use of benevolent religious reappraisal coping, greater use of spiritual connection coping, and lower spiritual discontent. Results suggest that distinct aspects religious/spiritual coping have differential associations with subsequent depression outcomes. Findings extend prior research to an important, understudied medical population, and address a clinically meaningful outcome.

Dungaw: Re-imagined Religious Expression in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Expressions of religious piety have been practiced in the Catholic Church as a response to plagues and pandemics. The faithful seek comfort in prayer and appeal to God and the saints for mercy and protection from illness and loss of life. In the Philippines, the veneration of sacred images and placing them outside the window of a house or a church is a religious expression known as "dungaw" (to look out). This paper discusses "dungaw" as a faith-response of Filipino Catholics during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is an empirical phenomenology that consists of a literary review and interviews. This paper analyzed the significance of the religious expression "dungaw." Four areas of inquiry were identified: (1) Views on the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) "Dungaw" and prayer life during the pandemic, (3) "Dungaw" as a religious expression, and (4) "Dungaw" and communal life. Results showed that Filipino Catholics utilized religion as a coping resource during turbulent times. Filipino Catholics also embodied traditional values to help repair the frayed social fabric during COVID-19.

Psychological Distress Among a Tunisian Community Sample During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Correlations with Religious Coping

Despite advances in medicine and technology, when facing epidemics people continue to turn to religion to deal with such unpredictable life-threatening events. We aimed to assess psychological distress in the general population of Tunisia during the COVID-19 pandemic and to examine the contribution of religious coping (RC) in the reports of anxiety and depression at the time of the survey. We carried out and online cross-sectional study using a non-probability snowball sampling technique. A total of 603 responses were recorded. The "Depression Anxiety Stress Scales," the "Brief religious coping scale" and the "Arabic religiosity scale" were used. We found that 28.3%, 24.4% and 19.4% of the participants reported severe or extremely severe levels of depression, anxiety and stress, respectively. The mean score for positive RC was 22.8 ± 5.3, while that for negative RC was 14 ± 5.8. After controlling for confounders, multivariate analysis showed that negative RC significantly and positively contributed to depression and anxiety scores in our respondents, indicating that greater use of negative RC was associated with higher levels of psychological distress. No significant relationship was found between overall religiosity or positive religious coping and either depression or anxiety symptoms. Religious beliefs may have an impact on how people cope with emerging infectious disease outbreaks. Religion should be considered by professionals as an important variable to consider in therapy for individuals who engage in RC or perceive religious needs.

Evaluation of Religious Coping in Tunisian Muslim Women with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer

Studies evaluating religious coping in Arab-Muslim populations are few. We aimed to evaluate religiosity and religious coping in a sample of breast cancer women, and to analyze the association between religiosity, religious coping, depression, anxiety, cancer clinical data, and sociodemographic data in our patients. A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted over a 4-month period in 61 newly diagnosed breast cancer women. We used the following scales: The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), the Arabic-Brief Religious Coping Scale (A-BRCS) and the Arabic Religiosity Scale. The majority of participants (98.4%) had a moderate to high level of religiosity. A weak correlation was found between religious coping scores and stress, depression, and anxiety scores. Our patients had high scores of positive religious coping, with a mean score of 26.13 out of 28 and used more positive coping than negative coping to cope with the cancerous disease. High levels of affective religiosity were the main predictive factor of positive religious coping. Therapies should reinforce the positive religious coping patterns of breast cancer patients, and detect a possible resort to negative religious coping that may negatively affect the patients' quality of life.

Characteristics of Danish Centenarians' Religious Beliefs: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Research has shown that in groups of increasing age, religiousness becomes more prevalent. However, centenarians have only to a very limited extent been included in studies. The aim of this study is to characterize religious beliefs and practices in a larger sample of centenarians than have before been included in research on the matter. Using the Danish Civil Registration System, all individuals turning 100 in 2015 in Denmark were invited to participate (N = 498); 364 participated (73%) (82% women). Descriptive statistics on the centenarians' self-reported belief, frequency of prayer and attendance at service were compared to the Danish general population. Associations between religious measures and age were examined using multivariable logistic regressions, controlling for sex and region. Centenarians more often reported being believers, praying and attending religious service, compared to all other age groups. Age, gender and region were all significant predictors of religiousness. The results of this study add to the body of the literature on religiousness and ageing, but extend it by including older age groups than have before been investigated. These findings warrant further investigations into the role of belief in this group and how it relates to mental health.

The Effect of Baseline Patterns of Spiritual Coping, Forgiveness, and Gratitude on the Completion of an Alcohol Addiction Treatment Program

The purpose of this study was to identify distinct profiles of persons beginning alcohol addiction therapy with similar baseline configurations of spiritual coping, forgiveness, and gratitude. The associations between latent profile membership and the completion of therapy were also examined. The sample was composed of 358 alcohol-dependent persons receiving an outpatient treatment program. The Spiritual Coping Questionnaire, the Forgiveness Scale, and the Gratitude Questionnaire were used to assess the baseline levels of spirituality-related variables. Using latent profile analysis, five profiles were identified: (1) both moderately positive and negative dimensions of spirituality (33.2%), (2) moderately positive dimensions of spirituality (21.0%), (3) predominantly negative dimensions of spirituality (20.2%), (4) mixed dimensions of spirituality with the lowest positive religious coping (14.0%), and (5) highly positive dimensions of spirituality (11.6%). Notably, the latent profiles differed in terms of the treatment completion rates. The results suggest the need to carry out a multidimensional assessment of spiritual functioning of persons beginning alcohol addiction therapy to provide treatment that is adjusted to patients' spiritual potential and deficits.

An investigation of the association between religious coping, fatigue, anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco: a web-based cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered fear and distress among the public, thus potentiating the incidence rate of anxiety and depression. This study aims to investigate the psychological effect of quarantine on persons living in Morocco when the first COVID-19 cases were identified. The associations between anxiety, depression symptoms, and their predictors (sociodemographics, fatigue, and religious coping) were examined.

METHODS

A web-based cross-sectional survey, with a total of 1435 participants (≥18 years) recruited anonymously, was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic (from 3 to 30 April 2020). A structured questionnaire was used to assess psychosocial factors, COVID-19 epidemic-related factors, and religious coping. Religious coping, fatigue, and depression, and anxiety were measured by Brief Religious Coping Scale (Brief RCOPE), Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), respectively. A generalized linear model (logistic regression) was used to determine the predictive factors of depression and anxiety.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 43.0% (n = 621) and 53.0% (n = 766), respectively. Both were associated with female gender, household income decline, tracking COVID-19 news, and fear to contract COVID-19 (aOR = 1.36 to 2.85). Additionally, 32.0% (n = 453) and 26.0% (n = 372) reported severe physical fatigue, and mental fatigue, respectively. Both latter factors were significantly and positively associated with depression as well as with anxiety. Depressive and anxious patients used more negative religious coping, while positive religious coping was slightly associated with depression.

CONCLUSION

In this online survey of the general population in Morocco, anxiety and depressive symptoms are prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemic and psychosocial factors, such as female gender, income decline, infection fears, massive COVID-19 news exposure, negative religious coping, and fatigue were associated with increased risk of depression and anxiety symptoms. Psychosocial and financial support should be provided to the quarantined population.

Association of Death Anxiety with Spiritual Well-Being and Religious Coping in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This descriptive study aimed to examine the association of death anxiety with religious coping and spiritual well-being among 248 community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The brief Arab religious coping scale, the Arabic version of the spiritual well-being Scale, and the Arabic Scale of death anxiety were used to measure religious coping, spiritual well-being, and death anxiety, respectively. The majority of the participating older adults were found to have low levels of religious coping and spiritual well-being and high levels of death anxiety. Further, in comparison to male older adults, female older adults were found to have higher levels of religious coping and lower levels of death anxiety. Moreover, in comparison to widowed older adults, married older adults were found to have higher levels of death anxiety. After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, religious coping, and spiritual well-being were found to be significant predictors of death anxiety in older adults.

Implications of posttraumatic growth for the treatment of comorbid substance abuse among survivors of traumatic experiences

OBJECTIVES

Research suggests that individuals treated for substance use disorders are not routinely assessed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology despite high rates of comorbidity. One area of research that has been overlooked in theory, research, and practice on the comorbidity of substance use disorders and PTSD is the study of post-traumatic growth. The purpose of the current study is to explore the relevance of post-traumatic growth for the treatment of comorbid substance use disorders among individuals suffering from traumatic stress or PTSD.

METHOD

A sample of 256 adults who survived the 2010 earthquake in Haiti completed measures of coping and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). The study regressed a measure of substance use coping on the scores on the subscales of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory adjusting for PTSD symptoms, general coping, and religious coping.

RESULTS

The findings suggest that one PTGI subscale, appreciation of life, was a statistically significant predictor of substance use coping among trauma survivors.

CONCLUSION

The principles of post-traumatic growth may have clinical implications for comorbid substance use among survivors of traumatic events. This study provides a path forward in efforts to create rapprochement between basic research and clinical services in the treatment of comorbid substance use in trauma survivors.

Health Belief Model on women's cancer recovery (a phenomenological study on cancer survivors)

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine how the Health Belief Model approach used by cancer survivors, especially women, in order to survive until after treatment.

METHOD

The data in this research were gathered from in-depth interviews, using content analysis techniques.

RESULTS

The findings suggest that the cancer symptom self-detection technique helps them to discover the problem and then seek medical help. The findings also indicate that they tried to do the healthy life behavior during the medical treatment, religious coping that could help to overcome stress as a result of the treatment, family and social support to the cancer survivor, being self-confident of the healthy behavior in helping the medical process.

CONCLUSIONS

The healthy life behavior when supported with religious coping, can be a good alternative to help cancer patients fight against the disease and survive.

The Relationship Between Spiritual Health and Religious Coping with Death Anxiety in the Elderly

The elderly is a period of life when a person reaches the age of 65 years. This study aimed to determine the relationship between spiritual health and religious coping with the death anxiety in the elderly people. The study is a descriptive cross-sectional study: 180 Elderly according to similar studies. Data gathering tools are Paloutzain and Ellison SH questionnaire, religious coping questionnaire and death anxiety questionnaire. SPSS16 and descriptive and analytical tests were used; there was a relationship between religious health and religious coping with the anxiety (p < 0.05).The M(SD) religious health is 39.25 (11.67), existential health is 40.50 (11.29), total spiritual health is 79.75 (22.03), and also the M(SD) religious coping is 23.84 (5.02). Considering the relationship between RC and SH with DA in the elderly, it is necessary to make the necessary spiritual-religious arrangements to reduce DA.

Gender, Judicatory Respect and Pastors' Well-Being in Closing Churches

This study of over 130 clergy in five old-line Protestant denominations (Episcopal, Lutheran, United Methodist, Presbyterian and UCC) who dissolved their congregations examines the relationships of gender, judicatory respect and pastors' well-being in their experience of closing a church and vocational transition afterwards; respondents completed a written survey and most also participated in in-depth interviews. Survey results show significant gender differences in the experience of respect from and satisfaction with relationships with the middle administrative part of the wider church called here the judicatory (e.g., synod, conference, diocese or presbytery), and with the experience of stress after their churches closed. Women clergy experienced greater loneliness and isolation, financial strain and thinking that closure affected their job search; their job search was also significantly longer than that of men. Respectful judicatory relationships are negatively related to many but not all vocational stresses. Comparisons with the experience of secular professionals suggest the stigma of closing a church adversely affects women clergy's vocational journey more than men's. The paper closes with implications for judicatory support of clergy leading churches to closure.

Neurophysiological correlates of religious coping to stress: a preliminary EEG power spectra investigation

Religious coping to psychological stress has been linked to positive outcomes on both physical and mental health, but no studies have explored its neurophysiological correlates. Ninety-six participants (43 men and 53 women, mean age: 22.30 ± 2.48 years) were enrolled in the present study; they underwent an evaluation of coping with the brief version of the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (brief-COPE) scale and performed an eyes-closed resting state electroencephalographic (EEG) recording. EEG analyses were conducted with the exact Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography software (eLORETA). Positive correlations between religious coping and EEG activity were observed in the theta frequency band in the right hemisphere, specifically in the superior temporal, inferior frontal, and middle temporal gyri. Religious coping scores were significantly positively associated with active coping and positive reframing coping strategies, with the latter not being significantly associated with EEG data. Taken together our results contribute to increase the knowledge on the neurophysiological concomitants of religious coping to stress.

The Comparison of Death Anxiety, Obsession, and Depression Between Muslim Population with Positive and Negative Religious Coping

Death anxiety, obsession, and depression constitute three dimensions of death distress which can be influenced by religious coping in religious individuals. The aim of this study was to compare death anxiety, depression, and obsession between Muslims with positive and negative religious coping. In a cross-sectional study, a sample of 339 participants were selected via stratified random sampling method. The participants were screened using the Brief Religious Coping Scale, in which 60 individuals were identified to have positive religious coping and 62 individuals were recognized as individuals with negative religious coping. They responded to Death Anxiety Scale, Death Obsession Scale, and Death Depression Scale. The data were analyzed using factor analysis and multiple analysis of variance. The results of principal component analysis showed that death anxiety, death obsession, and death depression were separate factors of death distress. The results also revealed that individuals with negative religious coping gained higher scores than those with positive religious coping in all the three variables of death anxiety, obsession, and depression. Consistent with the previous studies and Terror Management Theory, this finding lays emphasis on the role of positive religious coping in reducing death distress and the possible consequent psychopathology.

Working Together with God: Religious Coping, Perceived Discrimination, and Hypertension

This study examined the relationships of perceived discrimination and religious coping with hypertension in a sample of Black and White Seventh-day Adventists. Data come from a community-based sample of 6128 White American, 2253 African American and 927 Caribbean American adults (67% women; mean age = 62.9 years). Results indicate lifetime unfair treatment was significantly associated with hypertension regardless of race/ethnicity. Positive religious coping was associated with lower odds of hypertension and did not interact with unfair treatment. Both positive and negative religious coping were indirectly associated with increased hypertension risk through an increase in perceived discrimination.