Positive Psychology and Spirituality Research

Spiritual Faith Brings Longevity, Health, and Happiness

Apr 23, 2009

Learn what positive psychology studies are finding about the roles that spirituality and faith play in people's health, happiness, and longevity.

Positive psychology researchers are actively studying spirituality, looking at the connections between faith and life benefits. Is spirituality a natural anti aging mechanism?

What is the relationship between spirituality and health, spirituality and happiness? Researchers such as Dr. Kenneth Pargament of Bowling Green State University in Ohio are examining the links between religion/spirituality and well-being.

Psychology and Spirituality

Until the positive psychology movement of the past decade, psychologists had largely under-studied the impact of religion and spirituality on human well-being. However, the pioneering Dr. Pargament has studied the effects of religion and spirituality for nearly thirty years.

In an interview written by Suzie Pileggi (International Positive Psychology Association Newsletter, April 6, 2009) Dr. Pargament discussed his research studies on spirituality.

What is Spirituality?

Pargament defines spirituality as "a search for the sacred, an ever-evolving process of discovering, holding on to, and when necessary, transforming one’s relationship with the sacred."

Pargament uses the term sacred to convey the special, personal nature of beliefs describing spirituality. He further distinguishes spirituality as a "human yearning for a relationship with something sacred — something transcendent, boundless, and ultimate."

Religion and Spirituality

Pargament's view of spirituality goes far beyond the realm of religion. Spirituality is often linked to the concept of a higher being — God or the divine — but people can hold sacred many other aspects of life. One's family, nature, art, relationships, work, and values can all take on a special, sacred meaning, conveying the benefits of spiritualism beyond a once-a-week religious worship experience.

Dr. Pargament's research shows that those who are able to see the sacred in many aspects of their lives benefit both psychologically and physically. He encourages finding the sacred in the ordinary aspects of daily life, an extension of "stopping to smell the roses."

Spirituality and Natural Anti Aging

Is spiritualism a natural anti aging mechanism? What role does faith play in longevity research? The research results on this are mixed.

Explorer and National Geographic writer Dan Buettner has studied the so-called Blue Zones of the world, areas where people have much greater longevity than the norm, many living active lives at ages beyond one-hundred. Faith is among the consistent characteristics of centenarians in the Blue Zones.

In an article carried by the Bowling Green Student Magazine, Spring 2002, Dr. Pargament noted that many studies have shown religious involvement can help extend life expectancy.

Furthermore, in some of his research studies people with active spiritual concerns and conflicts had shortened life spans. He found that spiritual struggles were linked to declines in mental and physical health, and increased likelihood of dying.

In a research study of nearly six hundred elderly hospitalized patients, those who thought God had abandoned them, didn't love them, or thought the devil was behind their illness were more likely to be dead within two years compared with than those holding more positive spiritual beliefs.

It appears that faith plays a strong role in longevity, while having questions and conflicts about God and the unknowns of life may affect longevity in some ways as yet not understood.

Spirituality, Health, and Happiness

Questioned by Pileggi on the relationship between spirituality and happiness, Pargament gave an "it depends" response. He has found that when spirituality is well-integrated into someone's life it can bring benefits.

The centenarians studied in Blue Zone research described above are possibly those whose faith offers life-enhancing guidance and comfort.

Many studies agree and show a strong relationship between religious faith and happiness. In an article posted on BNET, September/October 1998, William Mattox indicated a 1998 Gallup poll of Americans found that "people with high religious involvement are twice as likely as those without to say that they are 'very happy.'" Mattox also indicates that "a literature review by psychologists Ed Diener and David Myers reported that religiousness is one of the best predictors of life satisfaction among the elderly."

On the other hand, Pargament indicates that poorly integrated spirituality can "make our lives miserable." Perhaps this is the experience of the elderly hospitalized patients whose longevity was impacted by spiritual conflict.

Psychology and Spirituality Research

Though interest is building throughout the scientific community to understand the roles of faith and spirituality in human well-being, much more research will be required to fully understand and develop interventions for using spirituality and faith as life-enhancing tools.

The copyright of the article Positive Psychology and Spirituality Research in Spiritual Growth is owned by Jerry Lopper. Permission to republish Positive Psychology and Spirituality Research in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Apr 23, 2009 5:17 PM

Guest :

I am The Happiest Person I Know, and as such, have had cause to examine what it is that makes me so. The number one reason for my happiness is my spirituality. Faith that I am being looked after by a 'big picture' entity keeps me happy and positive, even though I face very uncertain times.
Two years ago I left an unhappy marriage, with no visible means of support. If not for my faith, no, my KNOWING that I would be looked after, I would still be in that unhappy marriage, living in fear. My knowing gave me the courage to ignore fear and march boldly forward. Leaving that marriage, and trusting in the divine has made me The Happiest Person I Know.