OBJECTIVE: To review and discuss some of the research published in the last
several decades that has addressed the role that religion plays in helping
patients cope with serious medical illness.
DATA SOURCES: Although this is not a systematic review of the literature, i
t provides a sampling of the studies that have examined the relationship be
tween religious involvement, coping with illness, and health outcomes.;This
sampling of studies reflects the findings of a much larger systematic revi
ew of research (MEDLINE, Current Contents, Psychlit, Soclit, HealthStar, Ca
ncerlit, CINAHL, and others) during the past century that was recently comp
leted by the authors.
DATA EXTRACTION: Epidemiologic studies published in the English-language li
terature were reviewed and discussed.;
DATA SYNTHESIS: A number of well-designed cross-sectional and prospective s
tudies have examined the relationship between religious beliefs and activit
ies and adaptation to physical illness in patients with-general medical con
ditions, neurologic disorders, heart disease, renal failure, AIDS, and a ho
st of other physical disorders. This-review demonstrates the widespread use
of religion in coping with medical illness and provides circumstantial evi
dence for the possible benefits of this lifestyle factor.
CONCLUSIONS: When people become physically ill, many rely heavily on religi
ous beliefs and practices to relieve stress, retain a sense of control, and
maintain hope and their sense of meaning and purpose in life;: Religious i
nvolvement appears to enable the sick, particularly those with serious and
disabling medical illness, to cope better and: experience psychological gro
wth from:their negative health experiences, rather than be defeated or over
come by them.