Harold Koenig

Duke University Medical Center | DUMC · Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science

This issue commences with a bibliometric analysis of the top 100 most cited articles on religion. It then presents the first of a two-part series relating to research from Poland and progresses to examine the relevance of religion and spirituality to public health. Finally, this issue revisits the long-established and productive discipline of healt...

The relationship between mild cognitive impairment (MCI), religiosity and/or spirituality (R/S), and all-cause mortality among older adults has yet to be clarified. The current study aims to examine this relationship using a longitudinal cohort from ethnic minority communities in mainland China. The Cox proportional hazards regression modeling reve...

In the year of the Olympics (Paris, 2024), this issue of JORH explores nutrition and chronic care, offers a caution regarding the use of religiosity and spiritual measurement scales, and revisits the topic of COVID-19. While the latter has been rapidly declining in terms of its global impact, each of these areas of inquiry generate a great deal of...

The relationship between religiosity, spirituality and health has received increasing attention in the academic literature. Studies involving quantitative measurement of religiosity and/or spirituality (R/S) and health have reported many positive associations between these constructs. The quality of various measures, however, is very important in t...

This issue of JORH focuses upon faith and health within three nations that have contributed a great deal in terms of religion and health research during this century—namely Israel, Türkiye and the USA.

Background Existential anxiety (EA) is an expression of loneliness. Although depression, anxiety, and stress have been extensively studied worldwide, research on EA in the sociocultural context of the Arab–Muslim society is scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of EA among undergraduate students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by examining...

Spirituality-centered cognitive therapy refers to the way in which people search for and express the meaning and purpose of their lives, as well as experience connection with themselves, others, nature, and spirituality. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of spirituality-centered cognitive therapy on body image, sexual function, diseas...

This issue of JORH explores a broad range of topics looking at the professions of nursing, clergy and chaplains. This issue also concludes the series on Parkinson’s disease (Part 2), and for the first time, JORH presents a collation of articles relating to workplace religiosity. Finally, this issue revisits the topics of women’s health and family i...

This study examined the effectiveness of a spiritual/religious intervention on religious coping and eudaimonic psychological well-being in breast cancer survivors. A quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-tests and a control group was used to study 60 Iranian breast cancer patients. The 14-item Brief RCOPE and the Ryff’s 6-Dimensional Psychol...

Objectives The relationship between spirituality and depressive symptoms among the Chinese elderly is not well known. The current study explores this relationship using longitudinal data and trajectory modeling of depressive symptoms. Methods A longitudinal study design was used to measure depressive symptoms repeatedly from 2012 to 2021 using the...

OPEN ACCESS via Springer Link: https://rdcu.be/dAaKT This issue of JORH considers the ‘good, the bad and the ugly’ of tribal or traditional healers, as well as articles relating to ethical challenges due to contemporary medicine and environmental issues. The concluding series on suicide (Part 2) is also finalized in this issue, as well as a number...

This issue of JORH presents a broad range of articles that consider spirituality and spiritual care from various international perspectives. It also looks at a diverse range of articles relating to mental health disorders and addictions. Lastly, this issue considers the aftermath of COVID-19. Readers are also reminded of the European Congress on Re...

Increased inflammation is a common complication in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Addressing the psychological symptoms of patients may help reduce inflammation and its negative impact on the body. Considering the calming effects of listening to the Holy Quran, this may help reduce mental, psychological, and physical problems in Muslim patient...

For over 70 years, studies have reported lower rates of completed suicide in Muslim-majority countries and individuals who identify as Muslim. To this point, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between Islam and lower risk of suicide remain understudied. In an effort to advance our understanding, we convened a bilingual international interdi...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

The 2001 (first) edition of this Handbook was a comprehensive review of history, research, and discussions on religion and health through the year 2000. The Appendix listed 1,200 separate quantitative studies on religion and health each rated in quality on 0–10 scale, followed by about 2,000 references and an extensive index for rapid topic identif...

Open Access Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10943-023-01940-2 Abstract: This issue of JORH presents the first of a two-part series specifically exploring suicide. Research relating to moral injury is also included—a topic which has previously been discussed within earlier editions of JORH and an issue that is increasingly recognise...

This paper describes the development and initial chaplaincy user evaluation of ‘Pastoral Narrative Disclosure’ (PND) as a rehabilitation strategy developed for chaplains to address moral injury among veterans. PND is an empirically informed and integrated intervention comprising eight stages of pastoral counselling, guidance and education that was...

Moral injury has attracted attention widely in various occupations, particularly health professionals. Personality traits involve the professional values in clinical decision-making associated with mental outcomes. The current study examines the relationship between “light personality” style and moral injury. Scores on three subscales of the Light...

This issue of JORH explores various concerns related to the care of the elderly within a number of countries (namely China, India, Iran, Israel, Turkey, USA). Issues relating to Women’s Health are also considered across the life span but particularly with regard to gynaecology, paediatrics, cancer, mental health and wellbeing. Research is presented...

Background: The association between spirituality, cognitive function, and risk of mortality is still unknown among older adults in mainland China. Methods: Data from a prospective cohort study of 4,705 community-dwelling older adults, including 915 with MCI, were analyzed. Measures included the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL), which assess...

Faith-based organizations (FBOs) are often “gatekeepers” to mental health care for congregants at risk of mental illness and suicide, especially U.S. military Veterans, but data to inform better collaboration are needed. We conducted focus groups with clergy in Los Angeles County to understand the mental health support FBOs provide and barriers to...

Objective: Moral COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to explore the relationship between moral injury (MI), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal behaviors approximately 1 year after the pandemic peaked in mainland China. Methods: An online survey was conducted from March 27 to April 26, 2021, across mainland China. A total of 3,465 hea...

Objective: There is growing evidence that religious involvement is associated with better mental health in Christian Western countries. Whether the same is true in Middle Eastern countries whose populations are largely Muslim is less clear. The present study examined the association between religiosity and psychological well-being in the Middle Ea...

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Spiritual Coping Strategies Scale-Chinese version (SCSS-C) in Taiwanese adults. A convenience sample of 232 participants in Taiwan completed an online survey, and 45 of the 232 participants completed the SCSS-C again over a 2 week interval. The content validity index of the SCSS-C was 0.97. Par...

Background: Most effective interventions to control coronary heart disease (CHD) and prevent negative outcomes involve behavioral modification. This study examined how such modification based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) might improve lifestyle and clinical outcomes. Methods: A total of 120 people with CHD seeking help at a general hospital...

This issue of JORH explores the importance of religion and spirituality in medical practice, as well as research relating to the Church and its clergy, and finally the lingering effects of COVID-19.

After defining the syndrome of moral injury (MI), reviewing its relationship to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and examining its psychological consequences and impact on functioning, we describe a new psychotherapeutic treatment for MI called spiritually integrated cognitive processing therapy (SICPT). SICPT builds on cognitive processing th...

Background: The burden of behavioral and psychiatric symptoms in dementia (BPSD) has not been characterized in Saudi patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). Moreover, the Saudi version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (SNPI) has not been validated. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to validate the SNPI and describe frequency and determina...

This third issue of JORH for 2023 revisits a number of themes previously highlighted in JORH, along with the addition of two new themes. Since JORH's first special issue on 'Chaplaincy' (JORH, 2022, 61:2), this area of research within JORH has now flourished, with a total of three JORH issues now incorporating the allied health discipline of chapla...

Article available Open Access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01788-6 This second issue of JORH for 2023 considers research relating to (1) pediatrics, (2) students, (3) various allied health professions and their related practices, and lastly, (4) COVID-19. An additional reminder is also provided to readers on the call for papers regarding a f...

Background: Spiritual aspects of the human condition may give rise to spiritual pain and suffering, especially in the face of illness or difficult life situations. A growing volume of research documents the effects of religiosity, spirituality, meaning, and purpose on health. In supposedly secular societies, however, spiritual matters are rarely a...

Purpose: Calls have been made to integrate concepts and practices derived from Muslim culture into medical professionalism in Muslim societies. Little is known about how these religious cultural concepts (RCCs) influence medical practice and education. This study explored the influence of RCCs on medical professionalism in Saudi Arabia. Methods:...

Mindfulness meditation is rapidly being integrated into many different forms of counseling and psychotherapy, and there is a growing evidence base for its effectiveness. It is important to understand the spiritual roots of mindfulness, and to apply it in a patient-centered manner, sensitive to the patient’s own faith tradition rather than taking a...

Open Access: ttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01737-3 This first issue of JORH for 2023 considers (1) the ministry of chaplains, (2) Judaism, (3) the people of war-torn Ukraine, (4) the ongoing saga of COVID-19 and, on a happier note, (5) we celebrate a belated jubilee by presenting a bibliometric analysis of the Journal of Religion and Health (1...

Available from: https://www.amazon.com/Moral-Injury-Handbook-Military-Chaplains-ebook/dp/B0BRGWDTGK/ Abstract: Military chaplains are those best suited to address moral injury (MI) among active-duty Service Members and Veterans, in terms of prevention, identification, and treatment. This book provides information for military chaplains about the d...

Over the past four decades, studies have consistently shown that regular attendance at religious services is associated with better mental and physical health. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many congregations paused in-person religious services and moved their worship rituals online. The ways that churches have responded to the threat of i...

This final issue of JORH for 2022 revisits the topics of (1) cancer, (2) religious philosophy, and (3) uniquely collates a number of papers discussing the theme of death and dying—which seems an appropriate topic given the conclusion and celebration of life for one of the most internationally admired monarchs, Queen Elizabeth II (1926–2022). Lastly...

This article is Open Access via: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01648-9 Abstract: In this fifth issue of the Journal of Religion and Health for 2022, four key themes are revisited: (1) mental health, (2) Islam, (3) various clinical issues relating to religiosity and/or spirituality and (4) the ongoing concerns of COVID-19.

This text is available via Amazon Books: USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BC29QTFS/. Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BC29QTFS ABSTRACT: Spiritual readiness is the strength of spirit that enables the warfighter to accomplish the mission with honor. Maintaining spiritual readiness is essential for members of the US Armed Forces and their...

Background Health care professionals face a number of problems during crises, such as the COVID-19. Studies addressed the prevalence of moral injury among healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 outbreak. Lack of a valid standard of moral injury among health care professionals is one of the factors that has made it difficult to identify and tr...

Objective Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent in those who use computers, and education using ergonomic principles may be helpful to prevent such conditions. The present study sought to identify how an educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) may be effective for adopting healthy ergonomic postures. M...

Importance: Despite growing evidence, the role of spirituality in serious illness and health has not been systematically assessed. Objective: To review evidence concerning spirituality in serious illness and health and to identify implications for patient care and health outcomes. Evidence review: Searches of PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Scien...

In this fourth issue of the Journal of Religion and Health for 2022, four key themes are explored: (1) religious and spiritual issues in China, (2) gender-related issues affecting communities, couples, women and men, (3) a multitude of philosophical perspectives regarding medicine, science, health and religion, (4) and an array of new or adapted re...

Article Open Access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01586-6 Abstract: Four key themes are explored in this third issue of the Journal of Religion and Health for 2022: (1) the lead topic for this issue considers the work and spiritual care provided by nurses, which is followed by a series of articles on the subject areas of (2) diabetes and (3)...

Abstract Background This study examines the 20-year trend of suicide in 46 Muslim-majority countries throughout the world and compares their suicide rates and trends with the global average. Ecological-level associations between the proportion of the Muslim population, the age-standardized suicide rates, male-to-female suicide rate ratio, and the H...

Background Philosophical beliefs regarding the origin of mental illness may underlie resistance to psychiatric treatment and affect attitudes toward the mentally ill. Aim The present study sought to: (1) identify characteristics of medical students who hold mind-brain dualism (MBD) beliefs and (2) determine relationships between MBD beliefs and pe...

Background Oral health problems especially dental caries are common in school children, and education programs may help to prevent these conditions. The aim of current study was to examine the effects of an educational program based on a Health Belief Model (HBM) to improve oral health behaviors of elementary school children. Methods A total of 11...

Background Moral injury among healthcare workers received considerable attention in China during the COVID-19 pandemic as a predictor of poor mental health outcomes. This study explored the relationship between moral injury, PTSD, and suicidal behaviors approximately 1 year after the pandemic peaked in this country. Methods An online survey was co...

Background and Objective: Improving the health literacy in the different populations regarding COVID-19 may be useful in the control of its prevalence. This study examined the psychometric properties of a newly developed disease-specific measure of health literacy related to COVID-19 to be used as a standard measure. Materials and Methods: Relevan...

Introduction Skin Picking Disorder (SPD) is a skin-related disease, also recognized as psychogenic excoriation, dermatillomania, or excoriation disorder. SPD is defined as a habitual picking of skin, which in turn harms skin tissue. Given the paucity of information on SPD symptoms, their prevalence, and risk factors in Saudi Arabia, the present stu...

Importance Moral injury in health care professionals (HPs) has worsened over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. The trauma and burnout associated with moral injury has profound implications for the mental health of HPs. Objective To explore the potential factors associated with moral injury for HPs who were involved in patient care during the CO...

Background The patient–doctor relationship is one of the most important factors in determining the outcome of healthcare. The first step in establishing this relationship is choosing a physician. This study sought to identify patient preferences concerning the gender of their obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) physician and the effect of religion a...