Religion, Rituals, and Health

Chapter 4 trust, rituals, and wellness Overview of Chapter Topics Introduction Religion, spirituality, and ritual Religion in the U. S. Religion and wellness behaviors Effect of religion on wellness-related behaviors Religion and health outcomes Religion and medical decisions rites in relation to health manages Case call for Cystic fibrosis in a Hasidic Jewish patient Religion, Spirituality, and Ritual There is considerable overlap between religion and spirituality. Religion a belief in and note for a supernatural power or powers, which is regarded as creator and governor of the universe, and a psycheal or transfer system grounded in such a belief or faith Spirituality the life force within each of us, and it refers to an individuals attempt to find meaning and purpose in life Religion, Spirituality, and Ritual Religion is more than associated with behaviors that can be quantified than the more inchoate term, spirituality. Religion can be categorized by denomin ation, so there is more agreement rough the meaning of the term, and it can be more well quantified (i. . , place of worship) Similar overlap exists between religion and ritual. Religion may include established rituals, but not all rituals be associated with a specific religion. Consequently, this chapter examines the kind between ritual and health separately from the relationship between religion and health. Religion in the U. S. In 1999, 95% of nation in U. S. reported a belief in God or higher power. In a 2005 study, 57% of those queried stated that religion is actually important in their lives, while approximately 28% stated that it is plumb important. Since 1992, studies have found consistent rates of attendance at sacred places of worship. Religion and ethnicity may be loosely linked, but a persons religious affiliation should not be assumed found on his/her ethnicity. Religion and Health Behaviors Lifestyle is single most expectant influence over health tod ay. People with religious ties have been shown to get married healthier behavioral patterns than the nonreligious related to Wider networks of social support than does a stringently secular life Social networks are often key to header with life stress so improved coping mechanisms Proscribed behaviors (i. . , no alcohol consumption or premarital sex) Religion and Health Behaviors dietetic practices with possible effects on health Prohibition or restriction of consumption of animal products and beverages Fasting Prohibition or restriction of expend of stimulants and depressants because of addictive properties nigh religions incorporate the use of stimulants or depressants into their ceremonies spectral practice may correlate with po driveive health behaviors generally, as well as with reduced rates of depression and higher rates of marital perceptual constancy Religion and Health Behaviors Religion thought to correlate to positive outcomes with respect to Hypertension Mortality/longevity Depression Suicide Promiscuous cozy behavior Drug and alcohol use Delinquency General feelings of well- being Hope/purpose/meaning in life Self-esteem educational attainment Religion and Health Outcomes Religion also can ill-use health Sometimes used to justify hatred, aggression, and prejudice Can be judgmental, alienating, exclusive Can cause feeling of religious guilt or feeling of failure to meet religious expectations May restrict health fretfulness services because belief that health is in Gods handsReligion and aesculapian Decisions Beginning of life decisions Abortion Opposed or stringently limited by many religions (i. e. , health of the mother is at risk of infection if pregnancy continued child would be born with a handicap that pull up stakes cause suffering rape incest) Birth control wont Varying methods approved or strongly opposed by certain religions some religions permit hormonal methods but not the methods that block or destroy sperm Religion and Medical Decisions hold on of life decisions Religious belief may influence decisions to accept/reject optional interventions to postpone life at the end i. . , respirators, organ transplants, feeding tubes Religion and Medical Decisions End of life decisions Organ donation perspective is changing some now view it an act of compassion related to belief in resurrection Euthanasia the act or practice of ending life of psyche who is suffering from a terminal illness or incurable given by lethal injection or suspension of medical treatment Opposed when viewed as murder or suicide or that it will damage karma (states that one must show respect for preservation of life) Some see as an act of compassion and concern for dignityReligion and Medical Decisions End of life decisions Use of advance directives for end of life care pass on directives are legal documents that enable a person to convey his or her decisions about care ahead of time Include information about use of life-sustaining equipment, artificial hydration and nutrition (tube feeding), resuscitation, organ donation, comfort care Concerns related to appointing one person as the decision maker in collectivists cultures, person undergoing needless suffering, and if you discuss it, it will happenRitual in Relation to Health Practices Ritual a set of actions that usually are very unified and have symbolic meaning or value May be performed on certain occasions, at regular intervals, or at finesse of individuals or communities held in private or public Tied to legion(predicate) activities and events i. e. , births, deaths, holidays, club meetings, etc. Many rituals in health care settings i. . , being on time for appointments, how people are addressed, where patients sit Ritual in Relation to Health Practices Objects as rituals (i. e. , amulets, bracelets, statues, crosses) Importance of shrines in ritual activities (many are for health and healing) R ituals involving animal sacrifice (done to build and declare personal relationship with a spirit) Birth rituals (i. e. food restrictions, silent birth, how placenta is discarded) termination rituals (how and when the body is disposed of, prayer, dress, use of flowers) Summary Religion and spirituality fetch a major role in peoples lives and in their health decisions and behaviors. It has been shown to improve health, but also can contribute to health problems Impacts medical decisions Many rituals are related to health and some are tied to specific religions .