Religiosity, spirituality in relation to disordered eating and body image concerns: A systematic review

Abstract

ObjectiveThis systematic review aims to critically examine the existing literature that has reported on the links between aspects of religiosity, spirituality and disordered eating, psychopathology and body image concerns.MethodA systematic search of online databases (PsycINFO, Medline, Embase and Web of Science) was conducted in December 2014. A search protocol was designed to identify relevant articles that quantitatively explored the relationship between various aspects of religiosity and/or spirituality and disordered eating, psychopathology and/or body image concerns in non-clinical samples of women and men.ResultsTwenty-two studies were identified to have matched the inclusion criteria. Overall, the main findings to emerge were that strong and internalised religious beliefs coupled with having a secure and satisfying relationship with God were associated with lower levels of disordered eating, psychopathology and body image concern. Conversely, a superficial faith coupled with a doubtful and anxious relationship with God were associated with greater levels of disordered eating, psychopathology and body image concern.DiscussionWhile the studies reviewed have a number of evident limitations in design and methodology, there is sufficient evidence to make this avenue of enquiry worth pursuing. It is hoped that the direction provided by this review will lead to further investigation into the protective benefits of religiosity and spirituality in the development of a clinical eating disorder. Thus a stronger evidence base can then be utilised in developing community awareness and programs which reduce the risk.

The relationship between spiritual, religious and personal beliefs and disordered eating psychopathology

“…The result is at odds with current literature reporting a positive relationship between religious observance and lower levels of DEP (Gluck & Geliebter, 2002;Latzer, Tzischinsky, & Gefen, 2007;Mahoney et al, 2005). Our finding may be explained by the recruitment of a religiously and spiritually diverse sample of secular university students compared to recruitment from private American universities reporting high percentages of Christian (53-99%) and/or Jewish participants (Akrawi et al, 2015). While Judeo-Christian practices, including prayer and the reading of religious text, have been shown to improve body image concerns (Boyatzis, Kline, & Backof, 2007;Kim, 2006), only 34.5% of participants in the current study identified with a traditional Judeo-Christian religious affiliation.…”

“…However, only existential beliefs remained a significant predictor of lower levels of DEP throughout hierarchical regression analyses, even amongst participants who associated with a religious affiliation. This contrasts with evidence reported in a recent systematic review (Akrawi et al, 2015) which summarised studies showing evidence for associations between religious beliefs and lower levels of DEP in traditional religious samples. According to the authors of the SRPB scale (Skevington et al, 2013), religious beliefs reflect the extent to which a person's faith and a connection to a transcendental being helps an individual get through hard times and live a better life.…”

“…A recent systematic review by Akrawi, Bartrop, Potter, and Touyz (2015) concluded that a superficially extrinsic faith with loosely held beliefs coupled with a doubtful, anxious and questioning relationship with God may be associated with greater levels of DEP. Conversely, strong and internalised religious beliefs along with having a secure and satisfying relationship with God were associated with lower levels of DEP.…”

The Combination of Levomilnacipran, Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Christian Based Self –Help Group in the Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa: A Case Report

“…Another randomized, control group design study to evaluate the effectiveness of a spiritual group intervention for inpatient eating disorders compared the effectiveness of a Spirituality group with Cognitive and Emotional Support groups [28]. On weekly outcome measures, patients in the Spirituality group improved significantly more quickly during the first four weeks of treatment, thus suggesting preliminary evidence that promoting spiritual growth and well-being of patients with eating disorders patients could contribute to a reduction in their symptoms [28]. In another systematic study that examined the effects of religiosity, spirituality on eating disorders and body image concerns recommended pursuing further investigation into the protective benefits of religiosity and spirituality in the progression of eating disorders [29].…”

“…To determine the efficacy of these groups; a Cochrane Database Systematic Review was conducted and concluded with mixed results about their effectiveness [27]. Another randomized, control group design study to evaluate the effectiveness of a spiritual group intervention for inpatient eating disorders compared the effectiveness of a Spirituality group with Cognitive and Emotional Support groups [28]. On weekly outcome measures, patients in the Spirituality group improved significantly more quickly during the first four weeks of treatment, thus suggesting preliminary evidence that promoting spiritual growth and well-being of patients with eating disorders patients could contribute to a reduction in their symptoms [28].…”