Quality-of-life and spirituality

Abstract

Spirituality has been identified as an important dimension of quality-of-life. The objective of this study was to review the literature on quality-of-life and spirituality, their association, and assessment tools. A search was conducted of the keyterms 'quality-of-life' and 'spirituality' in abstract or title in the databases PsycINFO and PubMed/Medline between 1979-2005, complemented by a new search at PUBMED from 2006-2016. Quality-of-life is a new concept, which encompasses and transcends the concept of health, being composed of multiple domains: physical, psychological, environmental, among others. The missing measure in health has been defined as the individual's perception of their position in life in the context of culture and value system in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards, and concerns. There is consistent evidence of an association between quality-of-life and religiosity/spirituality (R/S), through studies with reasonable methodological rigour, using several variables to assess R/S (e.g. religious affiliation, religious coping, and prayer/spirituality). There are also several valid and reliable instruments to evaluate quality-of-life and spirituality. Further studies are needed, however, especially in Brazil. Such studies will provide empirical data to be used in planning health interventions based on spirituality, seeking a better quality-of-life. In the last 10 years, research is consistently growing about quality-of-life and spirituality in many countries, and also in many areas of health research.

Relationship of Religious Attitude and Self-control with Quality of Life among the Students of University of Qom and Qom University of Medical Sciences: A Path Analysis

“…According to Koenig et al, several studies demonstrated that religious people who committedly follow the rituals, except for the extremists, enjoy a better life regarding both physical and psychological aspects (23). The results of a recent review on the relationship of QOL with religiosity and spirituality provided evidence confirming the above-mentioned relationship through studies focusing on different variables, including religious affiliation, religious coping, and rituals (e.g., prayers) (24).…”

Relationship Among Psychological Well-Being, Resilience and Coping With Social and Clinical Features in Crohn’s Disease Patients

“…Some studies have emphasized spirituality/religiosity as a protective factor of health with a tendency to favor better physical health, psychological well-being and quality of life (36,37) . However, in this study, CD patients who were not religious presented better psychological well-being in positive relationships with others.…”

A espiritualidade/religiosidade como fator de proteção contra o uso de substâncias psicoativas na adolescência

“…Constructo espiritualidade/religiosidade Na contemporaneidade, observam-se diversos estudos com interface da ciência e da saúde com a espiritualidade/ religiosidade (E/R) como fator agregador na melhora clínica, independente da patologia 10 . Os esforços atuais buscam definir a importância da espiritualidade como um fator de prevenção primária do consumo de substâncias psicoativas por adolescentes 11 .…”