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Psychologist discusses impact of spirituality on health
By KEVIN FRYLING
Reporter Staff Writer
Recent research suggests that religion and spirituality can have a significant impact on mental and physical health. Yet, many mental health practitioners are reluctant to broach the topic with their clients, a UB psychologist told those attending the June 15 UBThisSummer lecture, "Spirituality and Coping."
"Psychology is a science-based discipline that is very reluctant to go near religion and spirituality," said Andrea Greenwood, counseling psychologist and assistant training director for UB Counseling Services.
But as research increases, she said, professionals can no longer overlook an area that so influences some individuals' actions and attitudes. Greenwood said there are studies that conclude that those who express religious commitment or involvement, or use spiritual or religious means to cope experience greater physical health, greater well-being and life satisfaction, greater ability to adjust to crises and problems, longer life and less anxiety.
Traditional religious tenets and rituals often conceal a number of "mechanisms"—physiological, behavioral, social and psychological—that promote health and well-being, she explained.
"Most spiritual and religious traditions have beliefs about preserving the sanctity of the mind, body and soul," she pointed out.
Moreover, she said these mechanisms for health outcomes cut across specific religions or spiritual traditions.
"You can see a lot of similarities across a number of religious traditions," she said.
One spiritual and religious concept she called common across cultures is "mindfulness"—a mental state in which there are no distractions and all focus is on the moment. Often experienced as prayer or meditation, she said regular practice elicits beneficial physiological responses, such as reduced muscle tension, increased oxygen and lower heart rates and blood pressure.
In addition, the concept of a Sabbath—common in most major religions-reduces stress- and fatigue—related problems through the codification of a 24-hour period devoted to rest, Greenwood said. The benefits of rest are of particular concern in the United States, she said, since the pressure to strive and achieve in American culture is in constant conflict with the desire to slow down and relax.
"The pace of U.S. culture is incredible," she noted. "We internalize that sense of drive."
Greenwood said research links religious and spiritual practice to increases in altruistic behavior as well. She cited one of the Five Pillars of Islam, known as "Zakat," which asks Muslims to donate a certain portion of their earnings to the poor.
Instances of social mechanisms sometimes involve traditions of mourning. She said Jews wear a kriah ribbon during times of grief, which prompts others to provide comfort, reducing depression.
One of the psychological mechanisms of religious or spiritual belief is the frameworks it provides to cope with and interpret events—this enables personal growth, even in times of crisis, she pointed out.
The Four Noble Truths teach Buddhists to find enlightenment through contemplation of the causes of human suffering, she said.
"We tend to construct meaning out of our circumstances," she said. In all religions there are stories, parables and concepts that form a structure through which individuals can interpret events and imbue them with meaning.
She said religious or spiritual beliefs also encourage a sense of purpose, motivate behaviors and decisions, and influence identity.
Mental health practitioners are faced with a challenge, Greenwood concludes. Professional reserve and worries over a clients' "zone of privacy"—although rooted in respect for religious tolerance—also act as barriers, she said. These contribute to the reluctance of counselors to tackle spiritual issues that often prevail in individuals' lives.
She said clients sometimes receive the unintentional message that counseling is the wrong place to talk about religion and spirituality.
"I think it's important for mental health practitioners to recognize that there is an 'impact of neutrality' towards spirituality and spiritual troubles in counseling settings," said Greenwood. "I think one of the things it can do is potentially communicate that it's unacceptable to identify spiritual and religious struggle."
Of course, she said, counselors should assess the relevance of spiritual issues based on the individual and keep in mind that just because someone is from a certain culture does not mean the person epitomizes the beliefs of that culture.
A lot of work remains to be done, she said, noting there is a current lack of official instruction on religion and spirituality, which leaves counselors on their own when it comes to these issues.
In terms of research, she said current studies are difficult to compare due to the lack of standard measurements for religiousness and spirituality.
For example: Does the number of times someone prays measure inner spiritual belief or more external investment in religious practice?
"Standardized key measurements for religious and spiritual domains are a fairly new idea," said Greenwood.