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Is there a scientifically testable link between spirituality and physical health? The question has been debated for decades, with believers claiming that hundreds of well-designed studies show a definite correlation between the two, and skeptics contending that, in the absence of an observable causal link and a clear definition of the word “spirituality,” people can draw almost any conclusion they want from what is really only a mountain of anecdotal evidence.
At this year’s Pastoral Care Week Lectures on October 29, Dr. Harold Koenig, a pioneer in the study of the relationship between spirituality and health and co-founder of the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Healthat Duke University Medical Center, addressed this controversy, speaking about the most recent findings in this field and their implications for pastoral care in health care settings and congregations. He began by noting that the word “spiritual” in our culture has too often been equated simply with positive emotions, and that its meaning has become so vague as to be useless for purposes of research.
Dr. Koenig further pointed out that some of the most spiritually mature figures in history have frequently spoken of “the dark night of the soul,” spiritual “dryness,” and “desolation” as critically important stages in a person’s spiritual journey. It also appears that many people who regularly participate in religious communities are more genetically predisposed to depression than the general population, yet report greater happiness and life satisfaction to investigators. This has led him to conclude that what can be explored in a statistically significant way is the link between a person’s religious beliefs and practices and his or her mental and physical well-being, and here the weight of the evidence appears to be decisive.
Given that, he believes that it is important for physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals, as well as chaplains, to be aware and respectful of patients’ religious orientations and desires (this will involve documenting their spiritual histories, since this has a bearing on both health outcomes and, often, treatment decisions). He suggested several ways in which the subject of faith could be raised by medical professionals without infringing on patients’ privacy or particular beliefs. In light of current challenges to the health care system, including the plight of the uninsured, the shortening of hospital stays, the growing importance of preventive and in-home care, and the “graying” of America, Dr. Koenig also foresees that faith communities, through parish nurses and other avenues, will play an increasingly vital role in maintaining and enhancing the health of both congregants and the community as a whole in the years ahead. |
