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Chagas C, Martins LB, Machado FR, Zangari W, Galduróz JCF. Religious and secular spirituality: Methodological implications of definitions for health research. Explore (NY) 2023; 19:6-13. [PMID: 35469748 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The importance of spirituality as a research topic has been increasingly recognized, which has led to several studies on the topic. Areas including psychology, medicine, and nursing have produced studies on spirituality under a plurality of definitions and methods, which reveals the complexity of the theme. However, this has resulted in a range of potential problems, including: (1) the use of overlapping and contradictory terms between studies, or even within the same study, (2) research methodologies that do not fit the definitions (sometimes unreflectively) assumed by the authors, (3) difficulties, or even the impossibility, of comparing the results of studies, (4) controversies in respect of the inclusion/exclusion of secular groups in research on spirituality, and (5) ambiguous measurements, often being exclusively dependent on each participant's individual interpretation of what spirituality means. This article discusses these problems, recommends theoretical and methodological alternatives and presents taxonomy of definitions of spirituality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Chagas
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, Department of Psychobiology, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Welligton Zangari
- Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Department of Social Psychology, São Paulo, Brazil
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2
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Weissman MM. Pursuing the epidemiology and familial risks of depression and developing an evidence based psychotherapy. Psychiatry Res 2022; 317:114754. [PMID: 36070660 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This commentary, as requested, presents the highlights of my research career. The epidemiology of psychiatric disorders study, challenged in a small study, the notion that diagnosis for psychiatric disorders could be made in a community survey. This pilot study was the basis for the Epidemiology Catchment Area Study (ECA) with 18,000 participants and the many more updated surveys, which followed. The families at High and Low Risk for Depression study in its 40th year challenged the notion that children didn't get depressed and showed that parental depression was the major risk for depression, which began in youth and reoccurred over the lifespan. Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), now has been tested in over 150 clinical trials, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), globally in China, Germany, Ukraine, and many more countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrna M Weissman
- Diane Goldman Kemper Family Professor of Epidemiology and Psychiatry, Chief, Division of Translational Epidemiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive -Unit 24, New York, NY 10032, United States.
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Zeng YY, Long A, Chiang CY, Chiu NM, Sun FK. Exploring the meaning of life from the perspective of patients with depression: A phenomenological study. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 2021; 35:427-433. [PMID: 34561055 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study explored the perceptions of meaning of life for patients with depression. A qualitative phenomenology approach was used. Patients with depression (n = 20) were recruited until data saturation occurred. Findings revealed four themes all related to their value of: (1) accepting depression; (2) appreciating work (paid and non-paid); (3) embodying love and taking on responsibilities; (4) receiving spiritual comfort. Healthcare professionals could facilitate patients with depression to explore their meaning of life while enduring and transforming the emotional pain that accompanies depression, hence, perhaps, decreasing their suicidal ideations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Yun Zeng
- Minimally Vascular and Endovascular Intervention Cencer, An Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan, Taiwan, No. 66, Sec. 2, Changhe Rd., Annan Dist., Tainan City 709, Taiwan
| | - Ann Long
- School of Nursing, Ulster University, 41, North Parade, Ormeau Road, Belfast BT 72GH, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Chun-Ying Chiang
- Department of Nursing, I-Shou University, No. 8, Yida Rd., Jiaosu Village, Yanchao District, Kaohsiung City 82445, Taiwan.
| | - Nien-Mu Chiu
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, No.1 23, Dapi Rd., Niaosong District, Kaohsiung City 83301, Taiwan.
| | - Fan-Ko Sun
- Department of Nursing, I-Shou University, No. 8, Yida Rd., Jiaosu Village, Yanchao District, Kaohsiung City 82445, Taiwan.
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Miller L, Wickramaratne P, Hao X, McClintock CH, Pan L, Svob C, Weissman MM. Altruism and "love of neighbor" offer neuroanatomical protection against depression. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2021; 315:111326. [PMID: 34265626 PMCID: PMC8672211 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2021.111326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We prospectively investigate protective benefits against depression of cortical thickness across nine regions of a Ventral Frontotemporal Network (VFTN), previously associated with spiritual experience. Seventy-two participants at high and low risk for depression (Mean age 41 years; 22-63 years; 40 high risk, 32 low risk) were drawn from a three-generation, thirty-eight year study. FreeSurfer estimated cortical thickness over anatomical MRIs of the brain (Year 30) for each of the nine ROIs. Depression (MDD with SAD-L; symptoms with PHQ; Years 30 and 38) and spirituality (self-report on five phenotypes; Year 35), respectively, were associated with the weighted average of nine regions of interest. VFTN thickness was: 1) positively associated (p<0.01) with two of five spiritual phenotypes, altruism and love of neighbor, interconnectedness at a trend level, but neither commitment nor practice, 2) inversely associated with a diagnosis of MDD (SADS-L Year 30, for any MDD in the past ten years), and 3) prospectively neuroanatomically protective against depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 Year 38) for those at high familial risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Miller
- Spirituality Mind Body Institute, Clinical Psychology Program, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, USA.
| | - Priya Wickramaratne
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City, USA; Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, USA
| | - Xuejun Hao
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City, USA; Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, USA
| | - Clayton H McClintock
- Spirituality Mind Body Institute, Clinical Psychology Program, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, USA; Sierra Pacific MIRECC, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Lifang Pan
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City, USA; Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, USA
| | - Connie Svob
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City, USA; Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, USA
| | - Myrna M Weissman
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City, USA; Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City, USA
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Rajkumar RP. The Relationship Between Four Measures of Religiosity and Cross-National Variations in the Burden of Dementia. Cureus 2021; 13:e17034. [PMID: 34395146 PMCID: PMC8357016 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.17034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several researchers have identified a possible protective effect of religiosity on the risk of dementia. Specific aspects of religiosity may be associated with this attenuation of risk, and it may be partially mediated through an effect on depressive symptoms or social support. However, this effect has only been demonstrated in selected cohorts to date. Methods This study was based on a cross-national analysis of associations. Correlations between World Health Organization estimates of the burden of dementia and four survey-derived measures of religiosity were examined across 101 countries, while controlling for estimates of late-life depression and social capital. Results Specific aspects of religiosity, such as attendance at religious services (Pearson’s r= -0.57), daily prayer (r = -0.58), and perception of religion as very important (r = -0.65), were associated with lower national levels of Alzheimer’s and other dementias (p< 0.01 for all correlations). This effect was partially mediated through an inverse relationship between religiosity and depression, but remained significant even after controlling for it and on multivariate analyses (β = -0.38 to -0.57, p< 0.01 for all measures). There was no evidence for a mediating effect of social capital. Conclusions Specific religious beliefs and practices may have a protective effect on dementia risk at the population level. These may involve group effects that require further study, such as reductions in depression in the elderly, or may involve beneficial effects on the stress response and cellular ageing in vulnerable individuals; however, the latter cannot be inferred with certainty from a group-level analysis. These results are consistent with earlier research and suggest a potential role for religious-based preventive strategies at the population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi P Rajkumar
- Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, IND
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Panier LYX, Bruder GE, Svob C, Wickramaratne P, Gameroff MJ, Weissman MM, Tenke CE, Kayser J. Predicting Depression Symptoms in Families at Risk for Depression: Interrelations of Posterior EEG Alpha and Religion/Spirituality. J Affect Disord 2020; 274:969-976. [PMID: 32664041 PMCID: PMC8451225 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posterior EEG alpha has been identified as a putative biomarker of clinical outcomes in major depression (MDD). Separately, personal importance of religion and spirituality (R/S) has been shown to provide protective benefits for individuals at high familial risk for MDD. This study directly explored the joint value of posterior alpha and R/S on predicting clinical health outcomes of depression. METHODS Using a mixed-effects model approach, we obtained virtual estimates of R/S at age 21 using longitudinal data collected at 5 timepoints spanning 25 years. Current source density and frequency principal component analysis was used to quantify posterior alpha in 72-channel resting EEG (eyes open/closed). Depression severity was measured between 5 and 10 years after EEG collection using PHQ-9 and IDAS-GD scales. RESULTS Greater R/S (p = .008, η2p = 0.076) and higher alpha (p = .02, η2p = 0.056) were separately associated with fewer symptoms across scales. However, an interaction between alpha and R/S (p = .02, η2p = 0.062) was observed, where greater R/S predicted fewer symptoms with low alpha but high alpha predicted fewer symptoms with lower R/S. LIMITATIONS Small-to-medium effect sizes and homogeneity of sample demographics caution overall interpretation and generalizability. CONCLUSIONS Findings revealed a complementary role of R/S and alpha in that either variable exerted protective effects only if the other was present at low levels. These findings confirm the relevance of R/S importance and alpha oscillations as predictors of depression symptom severity. More research is needed on the neurobiological mechanism underlying the protective effects of R/S importance for MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerard E Bruder
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Connie Svob
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Priya Wickramaratne
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Marc J Gameroff
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Myrna M Weissman
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Craig E Tenke
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Jürgen Kayser
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA.
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Varieties of Religious (Non)Affiliation: A Primer for Mental Health Practitioners on the "Spiritual but Not Religious" and the "Nones". J Nerv Ment Dis 2020; 208:424-430. [PMID: 32282550 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Given changing demographics of religiosity and spirituality, this article aims to help clinicians understand contemporary trends in patient religious and spiritual orientation. It first identifies and describes the evolving varieties of religio-spiritual orientation and affiliation, as identified in survey studies. Particular attention is given to the examination of those who identify as spiritual but not religious (SBNR) and None (i.e., no religious affiliation), which is important to mental health practice because many patients now identify as SBNR or None. Next, empirical data are considered, including what the literature reveals regarding mental health outcomes and SBNRs and Nones. We conclude with a summary of the main points and five recommendations that mental health practitioners and researchers need to consider regarding this increasingly large portion of the population.
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Svob C, Wong LYX, Gameroff MJ, Wickramaratne PJ, Weissman MM, Kayser J. Understanding self-reported importance of religion/spirituality in a North American sample of individuals at risk for familial depression: A principal component analysis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224141. [PMID: 31626682 PMCID: PMC6799910 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have shown protective effects between health outcomes and subjective reports of religious/spiritual (R/S) importance, as measured by a single self-report item. In a 3-generation study of individuals at high or low familial risk for depression, R/S importance was found to be protective against depression, as indicated by clinical and neurobiological outcomes. The psychological components underlying these protective effects, however, remain little understood. Hence, to clarify the meaning of answering the R/S importance item, we employed a comprehensive set of validated scales assessing religious beliefs and experiences and exploratory factor analysis to uncover latent R/S constructs that strongly and independently correlated with the single-item measure of R/S importance. A Varimax-rotated principal component analysis (PCA) resulted in a 23-factor solution (Eigenvalue > 1; 71.5% explained variance) with 8 factors that, respectively, accounted for at least 3% of the total variance. The first factor (15.8%) was directly related to the R/S importance item (r = .819), as well as personal relationship with the Divine, forgiveness by God, religious activities, and religious coping, while precluding gratitude, altruism, and social support, among other survey subscales. The corresponding factor scores were greater in older individuals and those at low familial risk. Moreover, Spearman rank-order correlations between the R/S importance item and other subscales revealed relative consistency across generations and risk groups. Taken together, the single R/S importance item constituted a robust measure of what may be generally conceived of as "religious importance," ranking highest among a diverse latent factor structure of R/S. As this suggests adequate single-item construct validity, it may be adequate for use in health studies lacking the resources for more extensive measures. Nonetheless, given that this single item accounted for only a small fraction of the total survey variance, results based on the item should be interpreted and applied with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie Svob
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Lidia Y. X. Wong
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Marc J. Gameroff
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Priya J. Wickramaratne
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Myrna M. Weissman
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jürgen Kayser
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Svob C, Weissman MM. The Role of Religiosity in Families at High Risk for Depression. ETHICS, MEDICINE, AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 9:1-6. [PMID: 32818148 PMCID: PMC7430948 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemep.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND About forty years ago we began a study of the offspring of depressed (high-risk) and not depressed (low-risk) parents, matched for age and gender, from the same community. We interviewed all of their biological children, blind to the clinical status of the parents. Over the years, we returned to re-interview the families at baseline, 2, 10, 20, 25 30, and 35 years. As the years went by and the sample grew up, we also interviewed the third generation, the grandchildren. As technology became available, we included measures of electrophysiology and magnetic resonance imaging in order to better understand the mechanisms of risk. At the 10-year follow up, we included measures of religion and spirituality - namely, personal religious/spiritual importance and frequency of religious service attendance. We included these measures in all subsequent waves including a more extensive follow up of religious beliefs at the 35-year follow up. ISSUES OF FOCUS This paper describes the study design and highlights the key findings of the role of religious/spiritual belief in the transmission and endurance of depression using clinical and biological approaches. METHODS We describe study findings based on clinical measures, as well as physiological measures that employed electrophysiology and magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Taken together, the findings suggest that religiosity/spirituality is protective against depression in high-risk individuals at both clinical and physiological levels. IMPLICATIONS The findings suggest religiosity interacts with both culture and biology in its impact on depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie Svob
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Myrna M. Weissman
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Translational Epidemiology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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