Quality of life is a subjective gauge of a person’s overall well-being and includes assessments and self-reports of physical health, mental health, functional abilities, emotional condition, social support, and spirituality.
As healthcare continues to evolve and provide more complete, holistic care for patients, the importance of religion and spirituality is increasingly emphasized. And, with good reason, since new research indicates that spirituality is a central determinant of quality of life and it confers more positive benefits on mental health than on other factors.
Physical activity has long been known as influential on overall well-being and quality of life, but just what role religious practice plays in quality of life is still undetermined. The authors of the current study, published in Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, used a model that was similar to a validated assessment of physical activity to evaluate the effects of multidimensional factors on well-being, including religious practice. A total of 215 adults participated in the study by completing paper-and-pencil questionnaires and wearing a device that measured physical activity. The participants completed assessments of overall satisfaction with life, physical and mental health status, social support, confidence to engage in physical activity and complete self-care tasks, physical activity, and spirituality and religiousness.
Physical activity, social support, and spirituality showed the strongest influences on well-being and confidence in one’s abilities. And, more spiritual individuals reported a more positive overall health status than participants who did not report regular religious practice. There was a stronger association between spirituality and mental health than physical health. The authors concluded that spirituality’s influence on quality of life is largely mediated by mental health, and physical activity’s influence on quality of life is largely mediated by physical health.
Many studies have reported the benefits of spirituality on specific health outcomes, but few have reported its influence on global quality of life. Indeed, religious individuals experience lower morbidity and mortality than individuals who do not report regular religious practice, and religion confers a protective benefit against several physical and mental health disorders. While the mechanisms for these connections are not well-understood, evidence is mounting that spirituality and a perceived connection to a divine being (whomever or whatever that may be) give individuals a sense of control over their lives.
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