Spirituality, Religiosity, Quality of Life and Mental Health Among Pantaneiros: A Study Involving a Vulnerable Population in Pantanal Wetlands, Brazil

Examining recovery and mental health service satisfaction among young immigrant Muslim women with mental distress in Quebec

OBJECTIVE

The overall aim of this study was to understand the experiences and perspectives of immigrant Muslim women in Quebec living with mental illness, who have recently used formal mental health services such as an accredited therapist, psychologist, or clinician. Specific objectives included (i) eliciting and examining their self-identified barriers and facilitators to recovery; (ii) exploring links between religion and mental health; and (iii) self-reported satisfaction with mental health services received.

METHODS

We adopted a qualitative approach, facilitating the prioritization of participant perspectives. This involved semi-structured interviews with 20 women who (i) identified as Muslim; (ii) had used mental health services in the last three years; and (iii) were 18 + years of age. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis techniques.

RESULTS

Three prominent themes emerged from the analysis. These themes were (i) stigma and misunderstandings in families (especially parents) and sometimes in the ethno-religious community, both acting as barriers to health service utilization and recovery; (ii) frustrating clinical experiences within formal mental health care settings, in particular a perceived lack of cultural and religious competence, which negatively affected service utilization and the development of a therapeutic alliance; and (iii) deeply-held religious beliefs, practices and trust in God imparting a rhythm, purpose and meaning, which were strong facilitators to recovery.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

These findings suggest that recovery from mental illness can be advanced by a three-pronged approach in this population. First, anti-stigma mental health literacy interventions could be held in collaboration with Muslim community groups. Second, there is a need for further religious and cultural competence interventions, resources and trainings for mental health professionals working with Muslims. Third, self-care resources should be developed that harness aspects of religious practices that can give structure, meaning, purpose and hope. All this could ultimately foster recovery in this population.

The Role of Religiosity and Spirituality in Helping Polish Subjects Adapt to Their Tinnitus

This study aims to assess whether religiosity and spirituality might be significant internal resources that help people with tinnitus to adapt to their condition. The study group comprised 256 Polish patients with tinnitus (123 women and 133 men) who answered the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Tinnitus Functional Index (both of which measure tinnitus annoyance) and the Self-Description Questionnaire (which measures: religious attitudes, ethical sensitivity, and harmony). Significant positive correlations between religious attitudes and tinnitus annoyance were found in subjects with tinnitus. The higher the religiosity, the higher tinnitus the annoyance, at least in the two TFI questionnaire dimensions: sense of control and quality of life (although these correlations were statistically significant only for men). Religiosity was found to be a positive predictor of tinnitus annoyance. Also, ethical sensitivity positively predicted tinnitus annoyance, whereas harmony was a negative predictor. We suggest that psychologists and audiologists should, in their diagnostic and therapeutic work with patients with tinnitus, pay attention to the religious and spiritual aspects of their patients' lives.

Human risk assessment of ash soil after 2020 wildfires in Pantanal biome (Brazil)

Wildfires have increased in the last years and, when caused by intentional illegal burnings, are frequently run out of control. Wildfire has been pointed out as an important source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trace elements (TEs) — such as, As, Ni, and Pb — to environmental compartments, and thus may pose a risk to human health and to the ecosystem. In 2020, the Brazilian biome, Pantanal, faced the largest losses by wildfires in the last 22 years. Ashes from the topsoil layer in Pantanal were collected after these wildfires at 20 sites divided into the sediment, forest, PF, PS, and degraded sites. Toxicity and associated risks for human health were also evaluated. The areas highly impacted by wildfires and by artisanal gold mining activities showed higher concentrations for TEs and PAHs than the protected areas. Pb varied from 8 ± 4 to 224 ± 81 mg kg⁻¹, and total PAH concentration ranged between 880 ± 314 and 1350 ± 70 ng g⁻¹, at sites impacted by anthropogenic activities. Moreover, health risk assessments for TE and PAH indicated a potentially great risk for children and adults, via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal pathway. The carcinogenic risks exceeded reference values, for both TE and PAH, suggesting harmful conditions, especially for vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly.

Religious Conspiracy Theories About the COVID-19 Pandemic Are Associated With Negative Mental Health

Objectives: Together with the COVID-19 pandemic, conspiracy theories have begun to spread. Evidence is lacking for religious conspiracy theories (RCT) related to COVID-19 in a non-religious environment. This study aimed to assess links between religiosity and spirituality (R/S) and RCT about COVID-19, and to examine their associations with mental health.

Methods: A sample of Czech adults (n = 1,273, mean age = 47.5, SD = 16.4; 51.5% male) participated in the survey. We measured R/S, RCT, negative religious coping (NRC), feelings impairment and mental health symptoms.

Results: We found R/S were significantly associated with RCT with β 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59–0.82) for the strongest association. Moreover, RCT and NRC were strongly associated with paranoia, anxiety and depression. The most frequent association was found for NRC and paranoid ideation, with β of 0.35 (95% CI 0.26–0.44).

Conclusion: Our findings showed associations between religiosity/spirituality and beliefs in religious conspiracy theories about COVID-19. Moreover, these RCT and negative religious coping were linked to higher possibility of mental health problems. Understanding these associations may help prevent this negative impact and contribute to the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic help.

Prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and their relationship with life-threatening events, tobacco dependence and hazardous alcohol drinking: a population-based study in the Brazilian Amazon

BACKGROUND

The burden of mental health disorders is high and may be particularly alarming in developing countries. We assessed the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and their relationship with life-threatening events, tobacco dependence, and hazardous alcohol drinking in the Brazilian Amazon.

METHODS

Cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Manaus in 2019 with adults selected by probabilistic sampling. Depressive symptoms were measured by the PHQ-9 instrument (cut-off ≥9) and anxiety symptoms by the GAD-7 scale (cut-off ≥10). Prevalence ratios (PRs) of depressive and anxiety symptoms were calculated by Poisson regression with robust variance with 95% confidence intervals (CI) following a hierarchical model. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to investigate the relationship between the outcomes and risk behaviors.

RESULTS

Out of the 2,321 participants, 24.3% (95%CI 22.2-26.5%) had depressive and 21.6% (95%CI 19.6-23.7%) had anxiety symptoms. Depressive symptoms were more frequent in women (PR=1.32; 95%CI 1.08-1.61), lower social class (PR=1.59; 95%CI 1.11-2.27), life-threatening events (PR=2.66; 95%CI 2.00-3.54), tobacco dependence (PR=1.84; 95%CI 1.37-2.47), worse health statuses (p<0.001), and chronic diseases (PR=1.63; 95%CI 1.33-2.00), but were lower in older adults (p=0.014). Anxiety symptoms were higher in women (PR=1.74; 95%CI 1.42-2.14), lower educational levels (PR=2.19; 95%CI 1.38-3.47), evangelical individuals (PR=1.28; 95%CI 1.05-1.57), having no religion (PR=1.72; 95%CI 1.24-2.38), life-threatening events (PR=3.26; 95%CI 2.41-4.41), tobacco dependence (PR=1.53; 95%CI 1.09-2.16), worse health statuses (p<0.001), and chronic diseases (PR=1.77; 95%CI 1.40-2.25). Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and life-threatening events were directly correlated with one another, while tobacco dependence and hazardous alcohol drinking were significantly intercorrelated (p<0.05).

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional design limits the assessment of causality. Recall bias was possible as responses were self-reported. GAD-7 scale was not validated in the Brazilian population.

CONCLUSION

Nearly a quarter of the population had depressive symptoms and one-fifth presented anxiety symptoms, which were associated with socioeconomic, behavioral, and health-related factors. Implementation of social well-being policies is required to minimize the burden of mental health disorders in the Amazonian population.

Association between spirituality/religiousness and quality of life among healthy adults: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is determined by multiple factors that include components such as spirituality and religiousness (S/R). Even though various systematic reviews have investigated the association between S/R and improved health outcomes in the most different groups, healthy young individuals are seldom addressed.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between S/R and HRQoL among young, healthy individuals.

METHODS

Systematic review of papers published in the last ten years and indexed in four academic research databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus) and two gray literature databases. Inclusion criteria were studies assessing S/R and HRQoL using validated instruments and assessing healthy adults (i.e., non-clinical patients, not belonging to any specific group of chronic diseases), aged between 18 and 64 years old.

RESULTS

Ten out of 1,952 studies met the inclusion criteria: nine cross-sectional and one longitudinal cohort study, in which 89% of the participants were college students. Nine studies report a positive association between S/R and HRQoL, while one study did not report any significant association. The main HRQoL domains associated with S/R were the psychological, social relationships, and environment domains, while the S/R most influent facets/components were optimism, inner strength, peace, high control, hope, and happiness.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher S/R levels among healthy adult individuals were associated with higher HRQoL levels, suggesting the S/R can be an important strategy to deal with adverse environmental situations even among those without chronic diseases, enhancing the wellbeing of individuals. Registration of systematic review: PROSPERO-CRD42018104047.

Association between spiritual well-being, quality of life, anxiety and depression in patients with gynaecological cancer in China

The physical and psychological condition of patients with gynaecological cancer has received much attention, but there is little research on spirituality in palliative care. This study aimed to investigate spiritual well-being and its association with quality of life, anxiety and depression in patients with gynaecological cancer. A cross-sectional study was conducted in China in 2019 with 705 patients diagnosed with primary gynaecological cancer. European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life instruments (EORTC QLQ-SWB32 and EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to measure spiritual well-being, quality of life, anxiety and depression. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine associations between spiritual well-being, quality of life, anxiety and depression. Functioning scales and global health status were positively correlated with spiritual well-being (P < .05). Anxiety and depression were negatively correlated with spiritual well-being (P < .05). Depression (-0.362, P < .001) was the strongest predictor of Existential score. Anxiety (-0.522, P < .001) was the only predictor of Relationship with self. Depression (-0.350, P < .001) and Global health (0.099, P = .011) were the strongest predictors of Relationship with others. Religion (-0.204, P < .001) and Depression (-0.196, P < .001) were the strongest predictors of Relationship with someone or something greater. Global health (0.337, P < .001) and Depression (-0.144, P < .001) were the strongest predictors of Global-SWB. Well spiritual well-being is associated with lower anxiety and depression, and better quality of life. Health providers should provide more spiritual care for non-religious patients and combine spiritual care with psychological counselling to help patients with gynaecological cancer, especially those who have low quality of life or severe symptoms, or experience anxiety or depression.

Association of religiosity with mental health and quality of life in women with chronic pelvic pain

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated religiosity and its association with mental health, quality of life, and the intensity of pelvic pain in women with chronic pelvic pain.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 women with chronic pelvic pain. Religiosity was investigated using the Duke University Religion Index. Quality of life was evaluated using the abbreviated version of the World Health Organization's quality of life instrument. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, while pain intensity was evaluated using a visual analog scale.

RESULTS

Almost half the participants attended religious services at least once a week and 62% prayed, meditated, or studied the Bible at least once a day. There was no association between religiosity and anxiety or depression. The intrinsic religiosity score was lower for women with mixed anxiety-depressive disorder compared to those without mixed anxiety-depressive disorder. There was a positive association between intrinsic religiosity and the psychological health domain of the quality of life instrument. There was no association between religiosity and pain intensity.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with chronic pelvic pain were strongly religious. Women with mixed anxiety-depressive disorder had lower levels of intrinsic religiosity. On the other hand, intrinsic religiosity was positively associated with quality of life in women with chronic pelvic pain. Religiosity was not associated with the intensity of pelvic pain. These data suggest that health-care professionals should take religiosity into account when treating women with chronic pelvic pain.

Childhood Trauma Is Associated with the Spirituality of Non-Religious Respondents

Childhood trauma experience (CT) is negatively associated with many aspects of adult life. Religiosity/spirituality (R/S) are often studied as positive coping strategies and could help in the therapeutic process. Evidence on this is lacking for a non-religious environment. The aim of this study was to assess the associations of different types of CT with R/S in the secular conditions of the Czech Republic. A nationally representative sample (n = 1800, mean age = 46.4, SD = 17.4; 48.7% male) of adults participated in the survey. We measured childhood trauma, spirituality, religiosity and conversion experience. We found that four kinds of CT were associated with increased levels of spirituality, with odds ratios (OR) ranging from 1.17 (95% confidence interval 1.03-1.34) to 1.31 (1.18-1.46). Non-religious respondents were more likely to report associations of CT with spirituality. After measuring for different combinations of R/S, each CT was associated with increased chances of being "spiritual but non-religious", with OR from 1.55 (1.17-2.06) to 2.10 (1.63-2.70). Moreover, converts were more likely to report emotional abuse OR = 1.46 (1.17-1.82) or emotional neglect with OR = 1.42 (1.11-1.82). Our findings show CT is associated with higher levels of spirituality in non-religious respondents. Addressing spiritual needs may contribute to the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic treatment of the victims.

Positive youth development: current perspectives

This review outlines the current perspectives on positive youth development (PYD). Besides presenting the diverse theoretical roots contributing to PYD approaches, this review also introduces several PYD perspectives, including Benson's 40 developmental assets, Lerner's 5Cs and 6Cs conceptions, Catalano's 15 PYD constructs, social-emotional learning (SEL) and the "being" perspective (character and spirituality). A comparison of the different PYD models in terms of theoretical orientation, the role of community, spirituality, character/morality, thriving, "being" versus "doing" and origin is also presented. The review suggests three future research directions, including the development of spirituality and character approaches to PYD, differentiating the role of "being" versus "doing" in PYD and construction of PYD models as well as conducting related research in non-Western contexts.