Intrinsic Religiosity and Physiological Reactivity to Stress

A large research literature demonstrates intrinsic religiosity is related to improved mental and physical health outcomes (Liu & Koenig 2013; Power & McKinney 2014). However, it is not clear what the pathways are between intrinsic religiosity and health outcomes. To answer this question we e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback 2016-12, Vol.41 (4), p.432
Main Authors: Witham, Alyssa, Koci, Amanda, Coenen, Madeleine, Fox, Sheilagh, Austin, Tara, DeBarros, Andrea, Wheeler, Louise, Caldwell, Yoko, Brown, Tracy, Steffen, Patrick, Cress, Nikki, Brown, Brodrick
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Depression, Mental
Health aspects
Heart beat
Mental health
Physiological aspects
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:A large research literature demonstrates intrinsic religiosity is related to improved mental and physical health outcomes (Liu & Koenig 2013; Power & McKinney 2014). However, it is not clear what the pathways are between intrinsic religiosity and health outcomes. To answer this question we examined 100 participants ages of 18 and 25 as they participated in a stress task while having their physiology assessed. Participants took several psychometric tests to determine mental health status along various different mental traits. The assessments that were used were the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). While taking these assessments we took their physiological ratings, such as heart rate and blood pressure, to see if intrinsic religiosity affected their depression and anxiety rates, their personal satisfaction in life, and the social support that they received. The results showed that in relation to intrinsic religiosity participants reported decreased depression and anxiety, increased personal satisfaction with life and feelings of social support from others. Additionally, intrinsic religiosity was related to decreased heart rate at baseline, speech preparation, and during the recovery period. Future research studies could build on these findings by examining why intrinsic religiosity has more of an effect on depression, anxiety, satisfaction in life, and social support, while extrinsic religiosity did not. Keywords * Stress * Heart rate * Blood pressure * Intrinsic religiosity
ISSN:1090-0586