Duke University Religion Index Research Articles

Do spirituality and religiousness differ with regard to personality and recovery from depression? A follow-up study

BackgroundThe studies show that both spirituality and religiousness are protective for mental health. Personality is related with course and outcome of depression, as well as spirituality and religiousness, and their relations toward to recovery from depression are underresearched. This study followed influence of spirituality and religiousness on course and outcome of depression in patients with depressive episode, controlled for personality dimensions. MethodsThe patients were assessed with self-report measures of depression (Beck Depression Inventory), spirituality (WHO-Quality of Life-Spiritual, Religious, Personal Beliefs), religiousness (Duke University Religion Index) and personality (Temperament and Character Inventory). Ninety nine patients finished a year long follow up. ResultsHigher spirituality influenced recovery of depression in patients with depressive episode, but religiousness did not show to be significant predictor of recovery for depression. Dimension harm avoidance was significant predictor of improvement of depression in all points of measurement. LimitationsSome limitations of this research are small sample size, usage of the self-report measures of depression in follow-up period, and the predominantly Catholic affiliation of the participants that can impact the generalizability of our data to other denominations. ConclusionSpirituality and dimension harm avoidance are significant predictors of recovery from depression during a year long follow up.

Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Patients: The Association with Religiosity and Religious Coping.

There is a lack of studies looking into religiosity and religious coping in cancer patient. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the religiosity using Duke University Religion Index, religious coping using Brief Religious Coping Scale, anxiety and depression based on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale among 200 cancer patients. The association between religiosity and religious coping with anxiety and depression was studied. The findings showed that subjects with anxiety or depression used more negative religious coping and had lower non-organization religiosity. Hence, measurements in reducing negative religious coping and encouraging religious activities could help to reduce psychological distress in cancer patients.

Can Religious Beliefs be a Protective Factor for Suicidal Behavior? A Decision Tree Analysis in a Mid-Sized City in Iran, 2013.

This study aimed to assess using tree-based models the impact of different dimensions of religion and other risk factors on suicide attempts in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Three hundred patients who attempted suicide and 300 age- and sex-matched patient attendants with other types of disease who referred to Kerman Afzalipour Hospital were recruited for this study following a convenience sampling. Religiosity was assessed by the Duke University Religion Index. A tree-based model was constructed using the Gini Index as the homogeneity criterion. A complementary discrimination analysis was also applied. Variables contributing to the construction of the tree were stressful life events, mental disorder, family support, and religious belief. Strong religious belief was a protective factor for those with a low number of stressful life events and those with a high mental disorder score; 72% of those who formed these two groups had not attempted suicide. Moreover, 63% of those with a high number of stressful life events, strong family support, strong problem-solving skills, and a low mental disorder score were less likely to attempt suicide. The significance of four other variables, GHQ, problem-coping skills, friend support, and neuroticism, was revealed in the discrimination analysis. Religious beliefs seem to be an independent factor that can predict risk for suicidal behavior. Based on the decision tree, religious beliefs among people with a high number of stressful life events might not be a dissuading factor. Such subjects need more family support and problem-solving skills.

Associação entre o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e tabaco e a religiosidade

Resumo Objetivo Verificar a associação entre a religiosidade e o padrão de consumo de álcool e tabaco em população atendida na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Métodos Estudo transversal realizado com 363 indivíduos, maiores de 18 anos. A variável de exposição, religiosidade, foi avaliada segundo o Índice de Religiosidade da Universidade de Duke. O desfecho, consumo de álcool e tabaco, foi avaliado pelo questionário Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Verificou-se a associação entre exposição e desfecho, com base na análise de regressão logística multivariada. Resultados Foi alta a prevalência no consumo de álcool e tabaco nos grupos mais vulneráveis. As religiosidades organizacional e intrínseca mostraram-se fator de proteção em relação ao consumo moderado/alto de álcool e tabaco. Conclusão Quanto maior o escore para a religiosidade organizacional e intrínseca, menor o consumo para essas substâncias.

Religiosity Among U.S. Chinese Older Adults in the Greater Chicago Area—Findings From the PINE Study

Background: Religiosity influences health and well-being. We assessed religiosity among U.S. Chinese older adults. Methods: Data were drawn from the PINE study based on 3,159 community-dwelling U.S. Chinese older adults aged 60+ in the greater Chicago area. Two items retrieved from Duke University Religion Index (DUREL) were used to assess the frequency of participating in religious activities, and a separate item was used to assess the importance of religion. Results: Overall, 35.4% of participants perceived religion to be important. This study correlated the higher frequency of participation in religious observances with older age groups of the sample, being female, having a higher income, being unmarried, longer duration of residency in the United States, and not having been born in Mainland China. Higher frequency of participating in organized religious services was correlated with better quality of life. Conclusions: Religion is important among U.S Chinese older adults. Future longitudinal research is needed to explore aging and religiosity.

Effect of a Faith-Based Education Program on Self-Assessed Physical, Mental and Spiritual (Religious) Health Parameters.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of attending a faith-based education program (FBEP) on self-assessed physical, mental and spiritual health parameters. The study was designed as a prospective, observational, cohort study of individuals attending a 5-day FBEP. Out of 2650 sequential online registrants, those previously unexposed to the FBEP received automated invitations to complete 5 sequential Self-Assessment Questionnaire's (SAQ's) containing: (1) Duke University Religion Index (DUREL); (2) Negative Religious Coping (N-RCOPE); (3) Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); (4) Center for Epidemiology and Statistics-Depression Scale (CES-D); (5) Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ); and the (6) State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Pre-attendance SAQ (S1) was repeated immediately post-FBEP (S2), at 30days (S3), 90days (S4) and after 1year (S5). Of 655 invited, 274 (42%) succeeded, 242 (37%) failed and 139 (21%) declined to complete S1. Of the 274, 37 (14%) were excluded at on-site interview; 26 (9%) never attended the FBEP (i.e., controls: 5♂; 21♀; 27-76years); and 211 (77%) participated (i.e., cases: 105♂; 106♀; 18-84years) and were analyzed over time: 211 (S1); 192 (S2); 99 (S3); 52 (S4); 51 (S5). IRB approval was via the Human Research Ethics Committee of Stellenbosch University. DUREL showed significant, sustained changes in Intrinsic Religiosity. N-RCOPE showed significant, lasting improvement. In others, median values dropped significantly immediately after the FBEP (S1:S2) for STAI-State p<0.0001; PSS p<0.0001; BIPQ p<0.0001; and CES-D p<0.0001; and at 1month (S1:S3) for STAI-Trait p<0.001; all changes were sustained (S3 through S5). This FBEP produced statistically and clinically significant changes; these lasted in those followed up >1year.

Religiosity and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study on Filipino Christian Hemodialysis Patients.

This study aimed to measure the religiosity and health-related quality of life of Filipino Christian HD patients. A cross-sectional study of 100 HD patients was conducted. The Duke University Religion Index and the Ferrans and Powers QLI Dialysis Version-III were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson r correlation. Attendance to organizational religious activities and NORA were found to be correlated with some of the dimensions of HRQoL. Intrinsic religiosity showed a strong, positive correlation with HRQoL. It is essential to attend to and nourish their religious needs. Holistic approach in providing care to HD patients, with emphasis on spiritual care, is encouraged to improve their total health.

Religiosity and Impulsivity in Mental Health: Is There a Relationship?

Our aim is to evaluate the relationship between religiosity and impulsivity in patients with mental illness who had attempted suicide and in healthy individuals. This is a cross-sectional study that included 61 healthy individuals and 93 patients. The instruments used were a sociodemographic data questionnaire, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and the Duke University Religion Index. The healthy individuals presented higher scores in the religiosity domains (organizational, p = 0.028; non-organizational, p = 0.000; intrinsic, p = 0.000). The patients presented higher scores in the impulsivity dimensions (attentional, p = 0.000; motor, p = 0.000; absence of planning, p = 0.000). In the patient group, intrinsic religiosity had a significant inverse relationship with total impulsivity (p = 0.023), attentional (p = 0.010), and absence of planning (p = 0.007), even after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Healthy individuals were more religious and less impulsive than patients. The relationship between religiosity, impulsiveness, and mental illness could be bidirectional; that is, just as mental illness might impair religious involvement, religiosity could diminish the expression of mental illness and impulsive behaviors.

Religiosidade e estilo de vida de uma população adulta

Objective: to characterize the profile of religiosity and lifestyle of an adult population and to analyze the association between these variables. Methods: Quantitative descriptive cross-sectional research conducted with participants (n=206) of two Health Fairs held in the city of Sao Paulo on October, 10th 2013 and May, 4th 2014. Two questionnaires were applied, The Duke University Religion Index (DUREL, subdivided into the dimensions Organizational, Non-organizational and Intrinsic Religiosity) and the FANTASTIC Lifestyle Assessment. Spearman’s Rho test was performed to associate the variables “lifestyle” and “religiosity”, and the chi-squared test was used for the bivariate analysis between sex and religiosity. Results: We found a mostly good religiosity profile in the three dimensions, particularly the Intrinsic Religiosity, which reached 83.5% (n=167) in the three questions. As to lifestyle (FANTASTIC), the following rating was obtained: 26.6% (n=34) “Good”, 48.4% (n=62) “Very Good”, and 12.5% (n=16) “Excellent”. Of the 125 bivariate analysis, 13 (11.3%) presented a weak (ρ<0.30), however significant (p< 0.05), correlation. In the chi-squared associations, religiosity was related to lifestyle dimensions regarding the use of alcohol and drugs, balanced diet and mental health. Conclusion: The study population’s religiosity, considering the three dimensions analyzed, was characterized as “good” and “very good”; and the lifestyle, according to the total score of the FANTASTIC assessment, could be considered healthy. Although weak, there was an association between religiosity and lifestyle.

Psychometric Properties of the Farsi Version of Hoge Intrinsic Religiosity Scale in Muslims: A Brief Report

Over the past decade, researchers have paid increased attention to the relationship between religion and health. Although interest in research on religion and health in Iran is just beginning, it is growing rapidly. Despite the expanding research in this field and the need for cross-cultural validation of religion measures, few measures in Farsi, the official language of Iran, have been validated. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Farsi version of the Hoge Intrinsic Religiosity Scale (Hoge IR Scale). The translation of the Hoge IR Scale into Farsi used a standard forward-backward translation method. This study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, 573 medical students and physicians were administered the Hoge IR Scale along with the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL). In the second phase, 147 nurses filled out the Hoge IR Scale. Reliability of the measure was tested by internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, or ICC). Factor structure of the measure was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was tested using correlation with DUREL total score. The Farsi version of the Hoge IR Scale has high internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution for the Hoge IR Scale in the Phase I sample. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the two-factor model. We concluded that the Farsi version of the Hoge IR Scale is a reliable and valid measure of religiosity and may be used in clinical and research settings among Farsi-speaking populations.

Caring for women globally: psychometric testing of two instruments translated into five languages for use in cardiovascular recovery.

Among women, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. After experiencing an acute cardiovascular event, a woman's physical health, the prevalence of morbidities, likelihood of being treated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery, likelihood for referral for cardiac rehabilitation are less favourable than men. The social support resources of marginality and religiousness are associated with physical and mental health outcomes following cardiovascular crises. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the translated versions (Japanese, Ukrainian, Tagalog, Hispanic and Arabic) of the Koci Marginality Index and the Duke University Religion Index among 282 women (aged 35-92 years) representing seven cultures. Results showed that reliability and validity were strong (coefficient alpha of 0.79 and 0.84). Understanding a woman's social isolation and whether she has a connection to religious groups assists health-care professionals to identify a woman's social support resources during recovery following acute cardiovascular episodes.

Attitudes Toward Homosexuality Among Nursing Students in a Public University in Malaysia: the Religious Factor

Islam is the federal religion of Malaysia and prohibits homosexuality. However, homosexual people undeniably exist in the community. Because all healthcare professionals are required to abide by the code of professional conduct that demands fair deliverance of care to patients, it is important that they are able to draw a line between professionalism and personal judgment when dealing with homosexual patients so that the standard of care for these individuals is not jeopardized. This study examined Malaysian nursing students’ attitudes toward homosexuality. Four hundred and ninety-five nursing students from University Malaya Medical Centre were recruited to participate in this study. Attitudes toward homosexuality and degree of religiosity were measured using the Homosexuality Attitude Scale (HAS) and the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL), respectively. The results showed that nursing students in Malaysia have negative attitudes toward homosexuality, and there is a significant correlation between homosexuality and intrinsic religiosity. These findings provide important baseline information for future research studies, and indicate the need for educational awareness interventions to increase tolerance toward homosexuals among nursing students in Malaysia.

The relationship between religion and the on-road behaviour of adolescents in Iran

Iran has a high traffic fatality rate and a substantial proportion of those killed on the road are adolescents. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between dimensions of religiosity and the on-road behaviour of adolescents as pedestrians, cyclists and other non-driving activities. A total of 1111 students attending secondary schools in Tehran (Iran) completed the Adolescent Road User Behaviour Questionnaire (ARBQ) and the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL). This study found that adolescents who participated less often in private religious activities were more likely to be: male, have relatives or friends who had been killed in a road collision, previously involved in a road crash themselves and engaged more often in dangerous playing on the road. Adolescents reporting higher levels of religious attendance and intrinsic religiosity were more likely to be: male, without a traffic accident history, younger, from public schools, studying at schools in large urban areas and more frequently engaged in planned protective behaviours. Adolescents with higher involvement in intrinsic religiosity tended to be those: without an accident history, who did not have relatives or friends that had been killed in a crash and who engaged less frequently in unsafe road crossing behaviour. The findings of this study indicate that the different dimensions of religiousness are related to adolescents’ behaviour on the road. Thus, it appears that religion may have a role to play in improving the road safety of adolescents in Iran.

Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Chinese version of the 5-item Duke University Religion Index.

BackgroundThe Duke University Religion Index (DUREL) is a widely-used 5-item scale assessing religiosity.AimAssess the internal consistency, reliability, and factor structure of the revised Chinese version of DUREL.MethodsUsing probability proportionate to size (PPS) methods we randomly identified 3981 households with eligible occupants in 20 primary sampling sites in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, a province in northwest China in which 34% of the population are Muslims of the Hui ethnic group. In 3054 households a screening interview was completed and an adult family member was randomly selected; 2425 respondents completed the survey (including the DUREL) and 188 randomly selected individuals repeated the survey an average of 2.5 days later. ResultsThe internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) of the 5 items in the full sample was 0.90; it ranged from 0.70 to 0.90 in various subgroups of subjects stratified by ethnicity, urban versus rural residence, and above versus below median education. The test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient) for the total score in the full sample was 0.87; it ranged from 0.63 to 0.90 in the different subgroups of subjects. Exploratory factor analysis in a random half of the sample identified a single factor (eigen value=4.21) that explained 84% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis in the second half of the sample confirmed the unidimensional model; the model fit measures of the one-factor model using the 5 item scores as observed variables were acceptable (comparative fit index [CFI] and Tucker-Lewis index [TLI]>0.99; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=0.105; χ2 =70.49, df=5), but the model fit improved after adding the correlation between items 1 and 2 (that assess organized and personal religious activities, respectively) as a sixth observed variable(CFI and TLI>0.99; RMSEA=0.046; χ2 =14.32, df=4).ConclusionThe Chinese version of the DUREL is a reliable and valid measure of religiosity that can be used to assess the relationship of religiosity/spirituality to physical and psychological wellbeing in Chinese respondents. As suggested by other authors, our factor analysis results indicate that the overall score is the best measure derived from the scale, not the three dimensional scores recommended by the original authors.

Psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the Duke University Religion Index in college students and community residents in China.

A Chinese version of the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL) was developed and the psychometric properties were assessed. The study was conducted in two separate samples of 1,285 college students and 2,564 community residents. To assess test-retest reliability, the DUREL was re-administered after 1 wk. to 105 college students and 199 community residents. In both samples, three factors were extracted using principal components factor analysis with Promax rotation, which is consistent with the scale content. Internal consistency reliability was acceptable. Test-retest ICCs ranged from .45 to .89 in college students and .75 to .93 in community residents. The Chinese version of the DUREL is a useful measure of religiosity in Mandarin-speaking populations.

Quality of life, depressive symptoms and religiosity in elderly adults: a cross-sectional study

Quality of life and depression are relevant to the health of the elderly. Studies indicate a positive association between religiosity and health. This study investigated quality of life, depressive symptoms and their relationship with religiosity in the elderly. The study included 287 older people from a unit of the Family Health Strategy. Data were collected by means of the instruments: John Flanagan's Quality of Life Scale, the short Geriatric Depression Scale and the Duke University Religion Index. The elderly showed high levels of religiosity, which, according to Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient, was positively associated with quality of life (p&lt;0.004), but not related to depressive symptoms. Results indicated a high degree of satisfaction among the elderly subjects with their quality of life, whereas 83% showed mild depression. In conclusion, religiosity is related to improvement in quality of life in the elderly.

Is religiosity related to attitudes toward clinical trials participation?

Research indicates that a low percentage of cancer patients enroll in cancer clinical trials. This is especially true among minority groups such as Hispanic Americans. Considering the importance of religion in the Hispanic American community, it is important to understand its relationship to perceptions of clinical trials. Five hundred and three Latina women completed the Barriers to Clinical Trials Participation Scale and the Duke University Religion Index. For the total sample, higher organizational and intrinsic religiosity was significantly associated with a perceived lack of community support for clinical trials participation. In subgroup analysis, the relationship between organizational religiosity and lack of support was stronger among Latinas who were Spanish language preferred and Latinas who were Catholic. Intrinsic religiosity was associated with mistrust among Spanish language-preferred Latinas, and both organizational and intrinsic religiosities were associated with a lack of familiarity with clinical trials among Christian (non-Catholic) Latinas. These results indicate that religious institutions that serve Latinas may be an effective venue for disseminating clinical trial education programs to improve attitudes toward clinical trials participation.

Association between religiousness and blood donation among Brazilian postgraduate students from health-related areas.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the association between religiousness and blood donation among postgraduate students.MethodsThe Portuguese-language version of the Duke University Religion Index was administered to a sample of 226 Brazilian students with ages ranging from 22 to 55 years. All study participants had completed undergraduate courses in health-related areas.ResultsIn the present study, 23.5% of the students were regular donors. Organizational religiousness was found to be associated with attitudes related to blood donation. This study also shows evidence that regular blood donors have a higher intrinsic religiousness than subjects who donate only once and do not return.ConclusionThis study shows that the attitudes concerning blood donation may have some association with religiosity.

The Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSORF): A Validation Study on Iranian Muslim Patients Undergoing Dialysis

The Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire (SCSORF) is an often used and validated scale that is uncommonly utilized in culturally diverse populations. The purpose of this research investigation was to adapt the SCSORF for use among Iranian Muslim patients undergoing dialysis and to examine the reliability and validity of the scale among this population. A total of 428 patients (228 females, 200 males, M age=52.2years, SD=10) were selected from five dialysis center in Tehran and Qazvin, Iran. A comprehensive forward-backward translation system was used for cross-cultural translation. Patients completed a baseline questionnaire obtaining demographic and clinical information as well as the SCSORF, the Age Universal Religious Orientation Scale (AUROS), the religious life inventory (RLI), and the Duke University religion index (DUREL). 2weeks later, patients were asked to complete the SCSORF once again. Reliability of the SCSORF was examined using internal consistency and test-rest reliability. Convergent validity and factor structure using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were also examined. Cronbach's α for the single construct of the SCSORF was 0.89 with adequate test-retest reliability measured over a 2week period. SCSORF scores were significantly correlated with AUROS, RLI and the DUREL. The EFA generated a single factor solution for the SCSORF while these results were confirmed by the CFA in an independent sample. Findings demonstrated that the SCSORF has favorable reliability, convergent validity, and divergent validity among Iranian Muslim patients undergoing dialysis and is recommended for use by clinicians (e.g., nephrologists) to measure strength of religious faith among patients.

The relationship between family obligation and religiosity on caregiving

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family obligation and religiosity on the positive appraisal of caregiving among African-American, Hispanic and non-Hispanic Caucasian family caregivers of older adults. Roy's adaptation model guided formulation of the aims and study design. A cross-sectional, correlational study design was employed to examine the relationship amongst variables for the family caregiver participants. Study participants (N = 69) completed a demographic tool and four instruments the: (1) Katz index, (2) obligation scale, (3) Duke University religion index, and (4) positive appraisal of care scale. There was a significant correlation between family obligation and positive appraisal of caregiving. However, there was no relationship between the family caregiver's religiosity and positive appraisal of caregiving overall. Demographic variables were also examined to show a higher marginal mean for Hispanic primary caregivers in relation to the positive appraisal of caregiving. Future studies should consider replicating these findings in a larger sample to provide health care professionals with substantial evidence to incorporate culturally sensitive interventions aimed at promoting positive outcomes and healthy family behaviors.