Response Bias in Research on Religion, Spirituality and Mental Health: A Critical Review of the Literature and Methodological Recommendations

Journal of Religion and Health
Everton de Oliveira Maraldi

Abstract

Although a significant body of research supports the psychological benefits of religion and spirituality, more investigations are needed to understand the mechanisms by which they impact mental health. While some studies suggest a causal direct influence, the findings may still be subject to unmeasured factors and confounders. Despite compelling empirical support for the dangers of response bias, this has been a widely neglected topic in mental health research. The aim of this essay is to critically examine the literature addressing the role of response bias in the relationship between religion, spirituality and mental health. A survey of the diverse types of bias in this research area is presented, and methodological and theoretical issues are outlined. The validity and generalizability of the evidence are discussed, as well as the implications for mental health practice. A list of methodological remedies to reduce bias is suggested. The article is then concluded with a summary of the studies reviewed and directions for future research.

References

Jan 1, 1991·The International Journal of Social Psychiatry·J B Ellis, P C Smith
Oct 1, 1965·Psychological Reports·D M GelfandM W Rardin
Mar 30, 2001·The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease·L H RoglerS T Loftus
Aug 1, 1960·Journal of Consulting Psychology·D P CROWNE, D MARLOWE
Oct 1, 2003·The Journal of Applied Psychology·Philip M PodsakoffNathan P Podsakoff
Jul 23, 2004·Experimental Psychology·Melanie C Steffens
Sep 9, 2006·Journal of Personality·Gerard Saucier, Katarzyna Skrzypińska
Jun 6, 2009·Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie·Harold G Koenig
Nov 27, 2009·Personality and Social Psychology Review : an Official Journal of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc·Constantine Sedikides, Jochen E Gebauer
Feb 3, 2012·The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease·Marjaana LindemanMikito Takada
Aug 29, 2012·Psychological Bulletin·Luke W Galen
Nov 14, 2012·Social Science Research·Olga StavrovaThomas Schlösser
Nov 24, 2012·The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science·Michael KingPaul Bebbington
Jan 26, 2013·Journal of Clinical Psychology·Robert J ReeseTroymichael Marsden
Feb 20, 2013·Journal of Religion and Health·Raphael M Bonelli, Harold G Koenig
Mar 9, 2013·World Psychiatry : Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA)·Kenneth I Pargament, James W Lomax
Mar 30, 2013·The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease·Lori Migdal, Douglas A MacDonald
Jul 15, 2015·PLoS Biology·Luke HolmanMichael D Jennions
Nov 1, 2012·Perspectives on Psychological Science : a Journal of the Association for Psychological Science·Olivier KleinAxel Cleeremans
Oct 7, 2015·Frontiers in Psychology·Michiel van ElkEric-Jan Wagenmakers
Jan 21, 2016·The Behavioral and Brain Sciences·Ara NorenzayanJoseph Henrich
Mar 8, 2016·The Behavioral and Brain Sciences·Luke W Galen
Apr 27, 2017·Journal of Religion and Health·Mario Fernando Prieto PeresGiancarlo Lucchetti
Jul 28, 2017·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·Tyler J VanderWeeleHoward K Koh

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 12, 2019·Frontiers in Psychology·Jesus Montero-MarinJavier Garcia-Campayo
Feb 18, 2021·Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan Yi Zhi·Chi-Fa HungChien-Te Lee
Mar 23, 2021·Journal of Religion and Health·Yüksel Can Öz, Songül Duran
Sep 15, 2020·European Journal of Oncology Nursing : the Official Journal of European Oncology Nursing Society·Angelo Braga MendonçaAdriana de Oliveira Martins
Oct 7, 2020·Current Opinion in Psychology·Jo-Ann TsangJuliette L Ratchford

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Current Opinion in Psychiatry
Samuel R Weber, Kenneth I Pargament
American Journal of Medical Quality : the Official Journal of the American College of Medical Quality
Elaine J Yuen
The American Psychologist
Carole A Rayburn
The Medical Journal of Australia
Hedley G Peach
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved