Spirituality, religion, and mood disorders

Abstract There is robust evidence that spirituality and religion (S/R) often predict the severity and course of mood disorder symptoms, particularly depression. Effects of S/R on depression are usually positive (i.e. higher levels of S/R are typically associated with lower levels and better recovery from depressive symptoms). Regarding bipolar disorder, the limited evidence available suggests that S/R resources are commonly harnessed by patients, generally with beneficial effects on suicide and quality of life. One of the main mechanisms proposed to explain these relationships is religious coping: Many individuals cope with stressful life events by turning to S/R, which in turn buffers against mood disorder symptoms. Other mechanisms include social support, sense of meaning/purpose, healthy behaviors, and some research has pointed to positive neurobiological effects of S/R on mood disorders. However, there is also consistent evidence to suggest that certain aspects of S/R can also be a source of emotional stress and strain, and thus predict greater symptoms of mood disorders as well as worse quality of life. Perhaps because of these positive and negative relationships, several studies have showed benefits of appropriately incorporating S/R into treatment of mood disorders. This chapter reviews the literature on S/R and mood disorders, and discussed clinical implications of this body of literature.