How Spiritual, Religious Believes Affect Health Differently

A recent study examines how religious and spiritual believes can impact our health in different ways. More specifically, researchers discovered that religion is more likely to help with behavioral health issues, while spirituality may help mental health problems.

"Religion helps regulate behavior and health habits, while spirituality regulates your emotions, how you feel," said Carolyn Aldwin, a gerontology professor in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University, said in a news release.

The researchers created a new theoretical model that defines two distinct pathways on how religion and spirituality boost health. Findings showed that those who were religious typically practiced better health habits. For example, they might be more likely to smoke and/or drink less.

Spiritual people on the other hand were better at regulating their emotions, which helped some with certain health issues, including lowering their blood pressure. 

"No one has ever reviewed all of the different models of how religion affects health," Aldwin, the Jo Anne Leonard endowed director of OSU's Center for Healthy Aging Research, said in a news release. "We're trying to impose a structure on a very messy field."

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Psychology of Religion and Spirituality.