Religious beliefs can ease stress

Religious beliefs can protect psychological well-being in stressful situations, a study conducted by the University of Washington and Connecticut has revealed.

The researchers said that faith-based positive religious resources could protect psychological well-being through enhanced hope and perceived social support during stressful experiences.

Also, having negative religious thoughts and struggles may hinder recovery.

The researchers found that perceived social support and hope contributed to less depression and anxiety for postoperative patients who used positive religious coping styles in their every day lives.

"The contribution of social support to hope suggests that those who perceive more support at this critical moment may feel more hopeful about their recovery," Dr Ai said.

Acts of positive religious coping include religious forgiveness, seeking spiritual support, collaborative religious coping (fellowship with others who share the same beliefs), spiritual connection, religious purification and thoughts of religious benevolence.

"These pathways appear to be key in understanding how religious coping styles may be helpful or harmful to a person's ability to handle stressful situations. These findings imply that health and mental health professionals should be more attentive to faith factors as inspirational or motivational springboards in some contexts," said Dr Ai.