Spirituality and religiosity as predictors of mental and physical health

Pages: 273-278
Renu Sodhi and Manju (Applied Psychology Department, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana)

A growing body of scientific research suggests connections between religion, spirituality, and both mental and physical health. The purpose of the current study is to examine the relationship between religion/spirituality and health outcomes of persons and to measure the domains of religion and spirituality believed to be significant for mental and physical health and also a better predictor of them. Sample size of the study is 144 individuals (94 Males, 50 Females). Spirituality Assessment Inventory (SAI), Religiosity Scale, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and P.G.I. Health Questionnaire (N-1) were used for the purpose of data collection. In statistical tools Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Step-Wise Multiple Regression has been applied. The major findings of the study shows that various factors of spirituality and religiosity is significantly associated with positive mental and physical health and further Step-wise multiple regression analysis revealed that two factors of spirituality significantly predict both mental and physical health dimensions.