Journal of Research on Religion and Health
Year:2021 | Volume:7 | Issue:3|Papers Count:13

Spiritual health refers to enjoying a sense of acceptance, a positive feeling, morality and the feeling of being in a mutual relationship with the dominant divine power, others and one’ s self. It develops in a dynamic and coordinated cognitive, emotional, and proactive process and personal consequences. Among the main components of spiritual health are spiritual knowledge, spiritual emotions, spiritual actions, and spiritual benefits (1). The concern about human development in the mentioned areas has led to the emergence of different views in different schools of thought in a way that some of them have focused solely on the physical dimension and, in contrast, some have been only concerned with the non-physical dimensions. The present editorial attempts to explain how the spiritual dimension has been ignored and how to compensate for it based on the wisdom principles of Avicenna....

Background and Objective: Nowadays, the study of religion and religiosity with a psychological approach has become one of the special mental health issues. However, the results of studies on the role of religiosity in mental health in different sections of society are contradictory. This study aims to explain the effect of quality of life on affective-behavioral difficulties of students of martyrs' families based on the role of practicing religious beliefs. Methods: The method of the present study is descriptive-causalcorrelational. The statistical population included all students of the families of the martyrs of Golestan province, out of whom 250 were selected by the available sampling method. They filled in the Quality of Life Questionnaire, a short checklist of symptoms of mental disorders, and a questionnaire on practicing religious beliefs. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling. In this study, all ethical considerations were observed and no conflict of interest was reported by the authors. Results: According to the results of this study, the rate of practicing religious beliefs by most of the students was moderately high, and the proposed model of causal relationships between research variables had an acceptable fit. In general, in the proposed research model, the results showed that the quality of life was directly and indirectly correlated with the students’ behavioral-emotional problems, anxiety, depression, obsession, sensitivity to interpersonal relationships, physical complaints and phobia relationship through the practice of religious beliefs (P<0. 05). This relationship between quality of life and practice of religious beliefs was positive and significant (P<0. 05). The relationship between practicing religious beliefs and behavioral-emotional problems was also negative and significant (P<0. 05). Conclusion: According to the research findings, education on and promotion of the quality of life and encouraging students to practice religious beliefs lead to improved problem-solving skills and reduced behavioral-emotional problems.

Background and Objective: Resilience is one of the important structures in positive psychology that refers to one's growth and experience of adverse conditions. It is psychological and intrinsic power that protects human beings against the disadvantages one faces in life and helps maintain one's mental health when exposed to risk factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of optimism and trait gratitude on resilience of Tabriz University students with the mediating role of gratitude toward God. Methods: This is a descriptive correlational study and its sample population included all graduate students of Tabriz University in the academic year 2018-2019. Out of these students, 240 were selected by multiple random sampling method from the faculties of Mathematics, Civil Engineering, and Psychology. Data were collected using the Scheier and Carver Optimism Questionnaire, the GQ-6 Questionnaire, the Gratitude toward God Questionnaire (Neal Krause) and the Connor Davidson Resiliency Questionnaire (CD-RISC). Path analysis was used to analyze the data. In the present study, all the ethical considerations were observed and the authors declared no conflict of interests. Results: The results showed that students' resilience was directly predicted by trait gratitude (β =0. 276) and gratitude toward God (β =0. 308). Resilience is also indirectly predicted by trait gratitude (β =0. 147) and optimism (β =0. 038) by the mediating role of gratitude toward God. The results show that 24% of students' resilience is explained by optimism, gratitude toward God, and trait gratitude. Conclusion: Based on the findings, trait gratitude and optimism increase resilience through gratitude toward God.

Background and Objective: Employees’ intelligence is an important variable in an organization's environment. Managers of organizations want employees who have higher intelligence. One of the types of intelligence that has recently been the focus of attention of the world scientific community is spiritual intelligence. In addition, due to the specific circumstances of the hospital environment, professional ethics plays an important role in the emergence of positive behaviors and nondestructive behaviors in the hospital environment. One of the destructive behaviors of the hospital environment, especially for nurses who directly provide services, is aggressive behaviors. Therefore, after reviewing the research background, the present study aims to investigate the effect of spiritual intelligence on aggressive behaviors with the mediating role of professional ethics in Imam Ali Hospital in Alborz province in 2019. Methods: This is a descriptive correlational study. For this purpose, standard questionnaires of spiritual intelligence, professional ethics, and aggressive behaviors after evaluating their validity (content and construct validity) and reliability (Cronbach's alpha method) were used to collect the required data from 1100 nurses of Imam Ali (AS) Hospital in Alborz, Iran. The collected data were analyzed by one sample t-test and structural equation modeling. In the present study, all the ethical considerations were observed and the authors declared no conflict of interests. Results: The results of the mean test indicated that nurses in Imam Ali Hospital in Alborz had acceptable an level of spiritual intelligence and professional ethics. In addition, nurses in the hospital exhibit low aggressive behaviors. Meanwhile, the results of structural equation modeling indicate that spiritual intelligence has a positive and significant effect on nurses' professional ethics. Both spiritual intelligence and professional ethics have negative but significant effects on aggressive behaviors of nurses; ultimately, the mediating role of professional ethics in the relationship between spiritual intelligence and aggressive behaviors has been confirmed. Conclusion: Improving the spiritual intelligence indicators and variable is effective in promoting professional ethics and decrease the incidence of aggressive behaviors in hospitals. Further, nurses' professional ethics facilitate the impact of spiritual intelligence on reducing aggressive behaviors and act as a mediating factor.

Background and Objective: Spiritual intelligence is a capacity that can enhance one's adaptability in life and give one a wider view of life and all the experiences and events enabling one to reframe and reinterpret these experiences and deepen one’ s understanding and knowledge of oneself. The purpose of this study was to develop a spiritual intelligence questionnaire based on Quranic teachings and to determine its psychometric properties. Methods: This is a model-testing correlational study. The statistical population consisted of 276 students of Babol University of Medical Sciences, who were selected by convenience sampling method. The validity of this questionnaire was evaluated by content validity, face validity, convergent validity, and concurrent validity. Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability were used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire. In this study, all ethical considerations have been observed and no conflict of interest was reported by the authors. Results: The results showed that the content and face validity of the Spiritual Intelligence Questionnaire Based on Quranic Teachings was acceptable. Using exploratory factor analysis, two hidden factors were found in the questionnaire and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the structural validity. There was a significant correlation between the scores of this questionnaire and those of the spiritual intelligence questionnaire indicating concurrent validity and a significant correlation between the two subscales and the total score of the convergent narrative questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability were also acceptable. Conclusion: According to the results from the validity and reliability analysis of the Qualitative Intelligence Questionnaire Based on Quranic Teachings, it can be stated that this questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing spiritual intelligence based on the Quranic teachings and can be used in the Iranian society.

Background and Objective: Given the importance of upbringing faithful youths in our religious teachings, some institutions organized various activities to encourage them to develop positive attitudes to religious beliefs and practices. One of the most important activities in this regard is I'tikaaf, which has wide social and personal effects. This study attempted to compare the perspective of time, spiritual well-being and psychological well-being in the youth participating and not participating in the I’ tikaf rite in Tabriz, Iran. Methods: The method used in the present study causal-comparative. The statistical population of this study included all participants aged 35-38 years in the I'tikaf ceremony in 2018 in Tabriz, out of whom 250 people were selected and 220 people filled in the questionnaires. 220 people were matched with the study group Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and MANOVA. In this study, all ethical considerations were observed and no conflict of interest was reported by the authors. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference in the components of purposeful life, self-acceptance and the total score of psychological well-being between the two groups (P<0. 01). The mean related to religious wellbeing was significantly higher in the nonparticipating group (P<0. 01). Finally, the mean related to the components of negative past, future and destiny in the participating group and the mean of the hedonistic component in the non-participating group was significantly higher (P<0. 01). Conclusion: Based on the findings, participating in religious activities such as I'tikaaf is probably an opportunity for participants to improve, purify their souls and promote human virtues. By participating in this spiritual ceremony, people try to confront their negative past, rebuild their life goals, and achieve perfection. These results can help to present valuable strategies for promoting mental health of the society.

Background and Objective: Studies on advanced positive human resources indicate that anger and hostility affect mental health and can be so harmful and destructive to mental health that its impact goes as far as mental disorders. Islam has referred to the term "anger management" inviting people to swallow and manage their anger; therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of examining the moderating role of employment on the relationship between anger and mental health in employed women and housewives. Methods: The present study is descriptive correlational. The sample population included working women and housewives of Tehran and Karaj in the 2015-2016 academic year; 384 families were selected by convenience sampling method based on Krejcie and Morgan’ s table. The research instruments included a researcher-made questionnaire and the Goldenberg Mental Health Questionnaire. Pearson correlation test and hierarchical regression analysis were used. In this study, all ethical considerations were observed and no conflict of interest was reported by the authors. Results: The results showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between anger and mental health (P<0. 01). Also, occupation has a moderating effect on the relationship between anger and mental health. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the importance of the variables of employment and anger on the mental health of working women and housewives.

Background and Objective: Attention to spiritual health in society and the current changes, especially in the field of technology is the result of individual planning and performance. Raising this issue in the field of higher education, especially in the fourth generation universities doubles its importance. Accordingly, the main purpose of the present study is to examine the indicators of spiritual health and its promotion in the fourth generation universities. Methods: The present study is applied in terms of purpose and was carried out using a qualitative-Delphi approach. The sample population consisted of leading professors in this field, out of whom 15 were selected as academic experts by purposive sampling method. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data analysis method was content analysis using coding method in three levels: open, pivotal, and selective. The information obtained from the interviews was classified into dimensions, components, and indicators. For validation, a focus group consisting of 9 experts in the field of health and academic generations was used. In this study, all ethical considerations were observed and no conflict of interest was reported by the authors. Results: The results showed that the dimension of insight with the components of basic assumptions and indicators such as communication with God and understanding of the universe, religiosity, awareness, and the dimension of manners with the components of values, norms and indicators, morality, self-awareness, hope, work conscience, and the dimension of interaction with the components of behaviors, actions and indicators such as education, purposefulness, impact on society, being skill-based, teamwork spirit, are among the most important features to promote spiritual health in the fourth generation universities. Conclusion: According to the findings, insight, manners, and action are among the most important requirements for promoting spiritual health in the fourth generation universities, which should be given special attention. Due to the human-centered nature of academic activities, especially in the fourth generation universities, developing a healthy human capital in all dimensions, especially in the spiritual dimension is very important in the fourth generation universities.

Background and Objective: Happiness is one of the concepts of positivist psychology that is important today in married life as well as mental health. Forming and maintaining a family and preventing it from collapsing requires family members to have certain skills and abilities. Accordingly, the present study was conducted with the aim of explaining the role of forgiveness and spirituality in couples' happiness. Methods: This is a descriptive-correlational study. The sample population of the study included all the couples living in Kermanshah during 2019, out of whom 300 were selected by available sampling method. The instruments used in the present study included the Oxford Happiness Scale (Hills & Argyle), the Family Sensitivity Measurement Scale (Pollard etal. ), and the Spirituality Scale (Shahidi and Farajnia). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, correlation matrix, and step-by-step regression. In this study, all ethical considerations have been observed and no conflict of interest was reported by the authors. Results: The results showed that there is a significant relationship between forgiveness (r=0. 519; P<0. 05) and spirituality (r=0. 688; P<0. 05) and couple happiness. On the other hand, among the dimensions of forgiveness, the sub-scales of feelings of recovery and light-heartedness, recognition/acknowledgment and realistic understanding could more strongly predict the couple's happiness. Also, among the subscales of spiritualityspiritual ability and spiritual attitude had a stronger predictive power for the happiness of couples, respectively (P<0. 05). Conclusion: According to the results, it can be stated that forgiveness and spirituality can play an effective role in promoting the happiness of couples, and there is a need to pay more attention to these structures in counseling centers.

Background and Objective: Today, the strategy of public-private partnerships is acceptable for providing economic and social services and infrastructures and public sector policymakers make use of its various models. Considering the successes and failures of countries and the growing needs of the health sector, a question arises as to how such partnerships in health development strategies can be attractive and effective in the Islamic developing countries. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the development of partnerships with a religion-based approach by reviewing the multi-sectoral partnership model. Methods: In a current descriptive-analytical study, in addition to studying the Quranic verses and hadiths and also the valid internal documents in the field of hospital endowments; the related keywords were combined by logical operators and searched on reputable international scientific databases. Eventually, more than 40 original articles and reviews related to the topic were selected and their themes were selected, analyzed, and then interpreted. The authors have not reported any conflicts of interest. Results: Besides the review of theoretical foundations of the subject and examining the development process of public-private partnerships, the study emphasizes the use of the third sector capacities and by reviewing the endowments and charitable affairs in the framework of multi-sectoral partnerships, it seeks to promote health in the community with all the existing resources. In the three phases of acceptance, application and performance evaluation of partnerships, the relevant elements, namely motivational factors, success factors and achievements of the partnership, and the corresponding dimensions and components were identified. Conclusion: Public-private-people partnership as a model that is rooted in the new theories of public administration as well as Islamic and Iranian beliefs and values can be used as an approach to overcoming the failures in the development of public infrastructure of the society and the shortcomings of health care in the country, but the ways to achieve this goal depends on building trust and balancing the interests of the parties.

Background and Objective: Pregnancy and childbirth are associated with traditional religious beliefs and practices in many countries. Religious beliefs have led to improved health, quality of life, and increased reliance on God. Relationship between religious beliefs and faith has a proven relationship with physical and mental health. Given these beliefs, it can be helpful for the mother to cope with pregnancy related anxieties under optimal health conditions and to improve her safety during pregnancy, child delivery, and after delivery. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Islam in the health of pregnant women. Methods: In this narrative review study, a comprehensive review was carried out using ScienceDirect, Pubmed Google Scholar and SID international databases from 1940 to 2019 and only Persian and English articles were reviewed. The keywords applied included Islam, health, pregnant women, spirituality. The inclusion criteria included clinical, experimental, cohort, cross-sectional, and review studies and the assumptions about the health of pregnant women. The exclusion criteria included duplication and irrelevance of the text of the articles to their title. The author has not reported any conflicts of interest. Results: The findings of the present study showed that happiness in pregnancy has reduced depression and anxiety, and the longer the time spent with the Quran and religious activities of pregnant women, the higher the level of happiness. Reciting and listening to the Quran has reduced the anxiety and pain of pregnant women. Pregnant mothers who had higher spirituality were also less anxious. Conclusion: Considering that religion is one of the most effective psychological supports in our society, it is an important aid for the individual in difficult and critical times to reduce anxiety and fear of childbirth and have successful delivery. It is natural to combine pregnancy care with Islamic approaches using powerful factors such as faith in God, being with the Quran, and religious and spiritual activities. Spirituality is an essential element in preparing a woman for childbirth. Prenatal education based on religious teachings increases pregnant mothers' awareness of prenatal care, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

Background and Objective: Dhikr (holy names repetition) is one of the Quranic methods that is used to cope with anxiety. Numerous studies have investigated the effectiveness of dhikr in reducing human stress. Stress is one of the biggest problems in humans that lead to burnout, anxiety, weakened immune system, and organ damage. Therefore, the current study intended to critically review the literature and line of research on the effects of holy name repetition on reducing stress. Methods: In so doing, a systematic review was conducted. The data were collected through well-known English and Persian databases, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Magiran, SID, Proquest, Eric, Psychinfo, Springer, Ebsco, and Noormags. Altogether, 39 studies were found and ultimately, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the investigation. The authors have not reported any conflicts of interest. Results: According to the sample populations investigated, those studies were classified into four categories: studies on ordinary people (one study), veterans (six studies), family members and caregivers of patients (four studies), and patients with HIV (one study). Eleven studies (92 percent) demonstrated that remembrance of God significantly reduced the stress. Most of the studies have been conducted in the United States and on the veterans. Conclusion: Modern human, surrounded by many stressors, may resort to dhikr as a reliable strategy to find peace. Future researchers are suggested to systematically review the studies investigating the effectiveness of holy name repetition in alleviating other psychological problems such as depression and aggression.

Background and Objective: Today, human’ s health is known as one of the most important concerns in the 21st century. However, researchers have focused on different dimensions of health rather than only on the physical health. In this respect, saying prayers is one of the obligatory religious practices that can play an important role in human’ s mental, physical, social, and spiritual health. Accordingly, the present study was aimed at explaining the effectiveness of saying prayers in the structure of health. Methods: This is a review study. Using library sources, the effects of saying prayers on different dimensions of health were described based on the existing sources of interpretation and the related research findings. The data were collected using archived documents as well as the Quran and Nahj al-Balaghah and other specialized books, articles, and primary narrative and fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) sources. The authors reported no conflict of interest. Results: Based on the findings, there is a strong and positive relationship between saying prayers and the four dimensions of health including physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. The results of field research confirm this effect and in few cases the relationship between saying prayers and health has been reported to be weak. Conclusion: Based on the findings, saying prayers plays an important role in increasing the feeling of satisfaction and health. Attention to this important issue can be increased more than ever before by developing and including appropriate educational programs in the structure and content of the textbooks in different fields and at higher education levels. In addition, by developing the capacity and ability to cope with the problems and difficulties, reinforcing an appropriate value system, cultural programs and workshops, we can prevent different diseases.