–Gallup Partners with Radiant Foundation on New Global Report on Spirituality as a Tool to Support Mental Health
The meta-analysis led by Gallup establishes a new framework for understanding the strong link between spirituality and religion and improved global well-being from 10 years of World Survey data.
LONDON, October 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — In the run-up to World Mental Health Day, the Radiant Foundation’s Faith & Media Initiative partnered with Gallup to launch the report Faith and Wellness: The Worldwide Connection Between Spirituality & Wellbeing (Faith and Wellbeing: The Global Connection between Spirituality and Wellbeing) (linked here), a meta-analysis of academic and global data from Gallup which uncovers ways in which spirituality can help address the global mental health crisis. An analysis of World Survey data over ten years, in more than 140 countries and approximately 1.47 million people interviewed, shows a strong association between religiosity and well-being. The indexes Gallup that measure positive emotions, social life, optimism, and community engagement show a positive relationship between religiosity (defined by the importance of religion in daily life) and well-being outcomes.
Among global findings, those who say religion is important to them are more likely to be civically engaged, according to the US Civic Engagement Index. Gallup. This index assesses people’s inclination to volunteer their time and help to others. Additionally, approximately 100 million more people who identify as religious have others to whom they can turn in times of need than if they were not religious. According to the report’s Positive Experience Index, an estimated 160 million more adults around the world have positive experiences than they would have if those adults were not religious.
As part of the investigation, Gallup reviewed existing literature and conducted in-depth interviews with leaders in the field to develop a new framework that identifies five key factors of spirituality that positively impact well-being: 1) Positive coping and a sense of purpose in life. 2) Social connections based on faith. 3) Community and civic commitment. 4) Structural stability. 5) Support in the workplace for comprehensive well-being.
“As you develop your support network and make active efforts to support others, it comes back to you, that’s how the world is structured. If you care about others in a non-selfish way, in an unconditional way, you provide stability in your own life,” he said. Harold Koenigprofessor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of duke. “Religion is available to anyone at any time, regardless of their economic, social, physical or mental circumstances.”
“We are facing a global mental health crisis and we cannot afford to overlook any aspect of life or activity that can improve well-being,” he said. Aaron SherinianCEO of Radiant Foundation. “Until recently, most data of this type asked only elementary questions about spiritual practice. This broader measure will help us truly understand how factors of faith and spirituality can strengthen mental health. This study provides us a new framework for how those factors are connected and a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of religious observance, spirituality and well-being.”
While the studies and analyzes detailed in the report illustrate that there is often a positive relationship between spirituality and well-being, the relationship is complex. An analysis of 2012-2022 Gallup World Poll data shows that spirituality and various well-being outcomes differ widely globally. In general, religious people tend to score higher on the Positive Experience Index of Gallup than non-religious people, as well as in their indices of Social Life, Basic Concepts of the Community and Optimism. This positive effect for religious people is compounded when they live in more religious countries.
“While the connection between religion, spirituality and well-being is widely recognized, there are still unexplored territories that require further investigation,” he said. Ilana Ron-Leveygeneral director of Gallup. “Many people may not fully appreciate the positive impact that spiritual life and practices can have on their physical and mental well-being, and this study further reveals the complex interplay between spirituality and well-being across countries and regions.” .
The report also raises the question of how workplaces could incorporate elements of spirituality into employee wellness programs, given the recent US Surgeon General report emphasizing the importance of workplaces focusing on employee well-being. the employees.
“one of “The new ‘hot issues’ employers are grappling with is how to respond to the faith-at-work movement, where employees of all traditions increasingly want to put their whole selves at work, including their spiritual identity,” he said. David MillerPh.D., director of the Faith & Work Initiative at the University of Princeton. “Faith and spirituality should be an integral part of any organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.”
To learn more about the research and read the full report, visit https://www.faithandmedia.com/research/gallup.
About the Radiant Foundation
The Radiant Foundation’s mission is to cultivate a more personal and positive place for faith in modern society. It is working to change culture and change lives by fostering more accurate and diverse representation of faith in news and entertainment, helping people develop a personal and meaningful relationship with God, and healing divisions, promoting understanding and inspiring exchange. significant about spirituality.
About Gallup
Gallup offers analysis and advice to help leaders and organizations solve their most pressing problems. Combining more than 80 years of experience with its global reach, Gallup knows more about the attitudes and behaviors of employees, customers, students and citizens than any other organization in the world.
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