Interpersonal trauma is pervasive globally and may result in long-term consequences physically, cognitively, behaviorally, socially, and spiritually (Bryant-Davis, 2005b). One of the protective factors that have emerged in the literature is religious coping. Religious coping, spirituality, and faith-based approaches to trauma recovery include endorsement of beliefs, engagement in behaviors, and...

Of all influences religion may have on health, the most intuitively plausible and uncontroversial concerns patients’ health-related habits and behaviors. At least part of the epidemiologic association between religious involvement and mortality is accounted for by inverse associations between religious involvement and detrimental health behaviors and less consistent positive associations betwee...

The human genome project is an attempt to identify all the genes on the human chromosomes that determine the biological makeup of every individual. Armed with such knowledge, argues M. Therese Lysaught, doctors will face intense pressure to practice medicine in a way that differs radically from practice at present. Rather than responding to disease, they will attempt to eliminate the biological...

BACKGROUND Although male circumcision (MC) is recommended as an HIV prevention option, the religious, cultural and biomedical dimensions of its feasibility, acceptability and practice in India have not been explored till date. This study explores beliefs, experiences and understanding of the community and healthcare providers (HCPs) about adult MC as an HIV prevention option in India. METHODS...

BACKGROUND The children of teen mothers have been reported to have higher rates of several unfavorable mental health outcomes. Past research suggests several possible mechanisms for an association between religiosity and teen birth rate in communities. METHODS The present study compiled publicly accessible data on birth rates, conservative religious beliefs, income, and abortion rates in the ...

Background: Religion is often included in the beliefs and experiences of psychotic patients, and therefore becomes the target of psychiatric interventions. Objectives: This article examines religious beliefs and activities among nonpsychotic persons in the United States, Brazil and other areas of the world; discusses historical factors contributing to the wall of separation between religion and...

Beginning with Kelley’s and Iannaccone’s foundational studies, scholars have examined how strictness impacts congregational outcomes. This paper seeks to further develop the strict church thesis by examining Iannaccone’s concept of “optimal level of strictness”, an idea that there are limits to strictness. Using Stark and Finke’s theoretical framework of religious niches and data from the 2005 ...