The neuroscience of spirituality, religion, and mental health: A systematic review and synthesis.
David H Rosmarin, Caroline C Kaufman, Stephanie Friree Ford, Poorvi Keshava, Mia J Drury, Sean Minns, Cheri Marmarosh, Avijit Chowdhury, Matthew D. Sacchet
Journal of Psychiatric Research December 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.10.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 18 |
| Population | Studies concurrently examining S/R, mental health, and neurobiology |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression |
| Keywords | Alcohol abuse Neurobiology Religion Spirituality |
| Key findings | Most studies demonstrated moderate to high methodological quality, and the review highlights the need for additional studies with validated assessment of S/R. |
Abstract
Prior research highlights the importance of spirituality/religion (S/R) as it relates to several aspects of mental health and clinical interventions. This research has been expanded to include the concurrent examination of neurobiological correlates of S/R to elucidate potential biological mechanisms. However, the majority of neurobiological research on S/R has neglected mental health, and the relationship across all three of these domains (S/R, mental health, and neurobiology) remains unclear. This study systematically reviewed research concurrently examining S/R, mental health, and neurobiology, and rated the methodological quality of included studies. Eighteen identified studies were then included in an integrated literature review and discussion, regarding the neurobiological correlates of S/R as it pertains to depression, anxiety, alcohol/substance misuse, and psychosis. The majority of studies demonstrated moderate to high methodological quality. Findings highlight the need for additional studies in this area as well as research that includes validated assessment of S/R.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Spirituality as a Therapeutic Approach for Severe Mental Illness: Insights from Neural Networks Religions April 16, 2024
- Advances in brain and religion studies: a review and synthesis of recent representative studies. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2024
- Religious and spiritual experiences from a neuroscientific and complex systems perspective. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews October 1, 2025
- Psychedelics, Harm Reduction, and Life's Big Questions: Making Sense of Spirituality and Religion After the Journey Anthropology of Consciousness August 27, 2025
- Elusive Notions of Bodhisattvas: Personified, Idealized, Mystified, Naturalized, and Integral Religions June 13, 2025
and 3 more in the library
Cites 5
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