Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in:

01-08-2007

Prayer and Health: Review, Meta-Analysis, and Research Agenda

Auteurs: Kevin S. Masters, Glen I. Spielmans

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Uitgave 4/2007

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

This article reviews the empirical research on prayer and health and offers a research agenda to guide future studies. Though many people practice prayer and believe it affects their health, scientific evidence is limited. In keeping with a general increase in interest in spirituality and complementary and alternative treatments, prayer has garnered attention among a growing number of behavioral scientists. The effects of distant intercessory prayer are examined by meta-analysis and it is concluded that no discernable effects can be found. The literature regarding frequency of prayer, content of prayer, and prayer as a coping strategy is subsequently reviewed. Suggestions for future research include the conduct of experimental studies based on conceptual models that include precise operationally defined constructs, longitudinal investigations with proper measure of control variables, and increased use of ecological momentary assessment techniques.
Voetnoten
1
In considering prayer as a form of alternative medicine it is useful to distinguish between voluntary prayer initiated by patients and their families or friends versus prayer used by a health care provider as an active intervention. The ethics of the latter are a contentious topic that lie beyond the scope of this paper but others, most notably Richard Sloan (Sloan n.d.; Sloan et al. 1999) who argues for separation of prayer and medicine, have written extensively on this subject.
 
Literatuur
go back to reference Astin, J. A. (1998). Why patients use alternative medicine: Results of a national study. Journal of the American Medical Association, 279, 1548-1553.PubMedCrossRef Astin, J. A. (1998). Why patients use alternative medicine: Results of a national study. Journal of the American Medical Association, 279, 1548-1553.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Barnes, P., Powell-Griner, E., McFann, K., & Nahin, R. (2002). CDC advance data report #343: Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults: United States, 2002. Washington DC: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Barnes, P., Powell-Griner, E., McFann, K., & Nahin, R. (2002). CDC advance data report #343: Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults: United States, 2002. Washington DC: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
go back to reference Bearon, L. B., & Koenig, H. G. (1990). Religious cognitions and use of prayer in health and illness. The Gerontologist, 30, 249–253.PubMedCrossRef Bearon, L. B., & Koenig, H. G. (1990). Religious cognitions and use of prayer in health and illness. The Gerontologist, 30, 249–253.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Benson, H., Dusek, J. A., Sherwood, J. B., Lam, P., Bethea, C. F., Carpenter, W., et al. (2006). Study of the therapeutic effects of intercessory prayer (STEP) in cardiac bypass patients: A multicenter randomized trial of uncertainty and certainty of receiving intercessory prayer. American Heart Journal, 151, 934–942.PubMedCrossRef Benson, H., Dusek, J. A., Sherwood, J. B., Lam, P., Bethea, C. F., Carpenter, W., et al. (2006). Study of the therapeutic effects of intercessory prayer (STEP) in cardiac bypass patients: A multicenter randomized trial of uncertainty and certainty of receiving intercessory prayer. American Heart Journal, 151, 934–942.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Cha, K. Y., & Wirth, D. P. (2001). Does prayer influence the success of in vitro fertilization- embryo transfer? The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 46, 781–787.PubMed Cha, K. Y., & Wirth, D. P. (2001). Does prayer influence the success of in vitro fertilization- embryo transfer? The Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 46, 781–787.PubMed
go back to reference Chibnall, J. T., Jeral, J. M., & Cerullo, M. A. (2001). Experiments on distant intercessory prayer. Archives of Internal Medicine, 161, 2529–2536.PubMedCrossRef Chibnall, J. T., Jeral, J. M., & Cerullo, M. A. (2001). Experiments on distant intercessory prayer. Archives of Internal Medicine, 161, 2529–2536.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Cohen, S., Doyle, W. T., Turner, R., Alper, C. M., & Skoner, D. P. (2003). Sociability and susceptibility to the common cold. Psychological Science, 14, 389–395.PubMedCrossRef Cohen, S., Doyle, W. T., Turner, R., Alper, C. M., & Skoner, D. P. (2003). Sociability and susceptibility to the common cold. Psychological Science, 14, 389–395.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Edman, J. L., & Koon, T. Y. (2000). Mental illness beliefs in Malaysia: Ethnic and intergenerational comparisons. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 46, 101–109.PubMedCrossRef Edman, J. L., & Koon, T. Y. (2000). Mental illness beliefs in Malaysia: Ethnic and intergenerational comparisons. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 46, 101–109.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Eisenberg, D. M., Kessler, R. C., Foster, C., Norlock, F. E., Calkins, D. R., & Delbanco, T. L. (1993). Unconventional medicine in the United States – prevalence, costs, and patterns of use. New England Journal of Medicine, 328, 246–252.PubMedCrossRef Eisenberg, D. M., Kessler, R. C., Foster, C., Norlock, F. E., Calkins, D. R., & Delbanco, T. L. (1993). Unconventional medicine in the United States – prevalence, costs, and patterns of use. New England Journal of Medicine, 328, 246–252.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Ellison, C. G., Boardman, J. D., Williams, D. R., & Jackson, J. S. (2001). Religious involvement, stress, and mental health: Findings from the 1995 Detroit Area Study. Social Forces, 80, 215–249.CrossRef Ellison, C. G., Boardman, J. D., Williams, D. R., & Jackson, J. S. (2001). Religious involvement, stress, and mental health: Findings from the 1995 Detroit Area Study. Social Forces, 80, 215–249.CrossRef
go back to reference Exline, J. J., Smyth, J. M., Gregory, J., Hockmeyer, J., & Tulloch, H. (2005). Religious framing by individuals with PTSD when writing about traumatic experiences. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 15, 17–33.CrossRef Exline, J. J., Smyth, J. M., Gregory, J., Hockmeyer, J., & Tulloch, H. (2005). Religious framing by individuals with PTSD when writing about traumatic experiences. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 15, 17–33.CrossRef
go back to reference Helm, H. M., Hays, J. C., Flint, E. P., Koenig, H. G., & Blazer, D. G. (2000). Does private religious activity prolong survival? A six-year follow-up study of 3,851 older adults. Journal of Gerontology, 55A, M400–M405. Helm, H. M., Hays, J. C., Flint, E. P., Koenig, H. G., & Blazer, D. G. (2000). Does private religious activity prolong survival? A six-year follow-up study of 3,851 older adults. Journal of Gerontology, 55A, M400–M405.
go back to reference Ironson, G., Stuetzle, R., & Fletcher, M. A. (2006). An increase in religiousness/spirituality occurs after HIV diagnosis and predicts slower disease progression over 4 years in people with HIV. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21, S62–S68.PubMedCrossRef Ironson, G., Stuetzle, R., & Fletcher, M. A. (2006). An increase in religiousness/spirituality occurs after HIV diagnosis and predicts slower disease progression over 4 years in people with HIV. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21, S62–S68.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., McGuire, L., Robles, T. F., & Glaser, R. (2002). Emotions, morbidity, and mortality: New perspectives from psychoneuroimmunology. Annual Review of Psychology, 53, 83–107.PubMedCrossRef Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., McGuire, L., Robles, T. F., & Glaser, R. (2002). Emotions, morbidity, and mortality: New perspectives from psychoneuroimmunology. Annual Review of Psychology, 53, 83–107.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Koenig, H. G. (2001). Religion and medicine III: Developing a theoretical model. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 31, 199–216.PubMedCrossRef Koenig, H. G. (2001). Religion and medicine III: Developing a theoretical model. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 31, 199–216.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Krause, N. (2003). Praying for others, financial strain, and physical health status in late life. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 42, 377–391.CrossRef Krause, N. (2003). Praying for others, financial strain, and physical health status in late life. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 42, 377–391.CrossRef
go back to reference Krause, N. (2004). Assessing the relationships among prayer expectancies, race, and self-esteem in late life. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 43, 395–408.CrossRef Krause, N. (2004). Assessing the relationships among prayer expectancies, race, and self-esteem in late life. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 43, 395–408.CrossRef
go back to reference Lawson, K., Reesor, K. A., Keefe, F. J., & Turner, J. A. (1990). Dimensions of pain-related cognitive coping: Cross-validation of the factor structure of the Coping Strategy Questionnaire. Pain, 43, 195–204.PubMedCrossRef Lawson, K., Reesor, K. A., Keefe, F. J., & Turner, J. A. (1990). Dimensions of pain-related cognitive coping: Cross-validation of the factor structure of the Coping Strategy Questionnaire. Pain, 43, 195–204.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Maltby, J., Lewis, C. A., & Day, L. (1999). Religious orientation and psychological well-being: The role of the frequency of personal prayer. British Journal of Health Psychology, 4, 363–378.CrossRef Maltby, J., Lewis, C. A., & Day, L. (1999). Religious orientation and psychological well-being: The role of the frequency of personal prayer. British Journal of Health Psychology, 4, 363–378.CrossRef
go back to reference Masters, K. S. (2005). Research on the healing power of distant intercessory prayer: Disconnect between science and faith. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 33, 268–277. Masters, K. S. (2005). Research on the healing power of distant intercessory prayer: Disconnect between science and faith. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 33, 268–277.
go back to reference Masters, K. S. Prayer and health: Theoretical issues and empirical review. In T. Plante & C. Thoresen (Eds.), Spirit, science and health: How the spiritual mind fuels physical wellness . Greenwood Press: New York (In press). Masters, K. S. Prayer and health: Theoretical issues and empirical review. In T. Plante & C. Thoresen (Eds.), Spirit, science and health: How the spiritual mind fuels physical wellness . Greenwood Press: New York (In press).
go back to reference Masters, K. S., Spielmans, G. I., & Goodson, J. T. (2006). Are there demonstrable effects of distant intercessory prayer? A meta-analytic review. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 32, 337–342.CrossRef Masters, K. S., Spielmans, G. I., & Goodson, J. T. (2006). Are there demonstrable effects of distant intercessory prayer? A meta-analytic review. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 32, 337–342.CrossRef
go back to reference McCullough, M. E. (1995). Prayer and health: Conceptual issues, research review, and research agenda. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 23, 15–29. McCullough, M. E. (1995). Prayer and health: Conceptual issues, research review, and research agenda. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 23, 15–29.
go back to reference McCullough, M. E., & Larson, D. B. (1999). Prayer. In W. R. Miller (Ed.), Integrating spirituality into treatment (pp. 85–110). Washington DC: American Psychological Association. McCullough, M. E., & Larson, D. B. (1999). Prayer. In W. R. Miller (Ed.), Integrating spirituality into treatment (pp. 85–110). Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
go back to reference McIntosh, D. N., & Spilka, B. (1990). Religion and physical health: the role of personal faith and control. In M. L. Lynn & D. O. Moberg (Eds.), Research in the social scientific study of religion (Vol. 2., pp. 167–194). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press. McIntosh, D. N., & Spilka, B. (1990). Religion and physical health: the role of personal faith and control. In M. L. Lynn & D. O. Moberg (Eds.), Research in the social scientific study of religion (Vol. 2., pp. 167–194). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.
go back to reference Meisenhelder, J. B., & Chandler, E. N. (2001). Frequency of prayer and functional health in Presbyterian pastors. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 40, 323–329.CrossRef Meisenhelder, J. B., & Chandler, E. N. (2001). Frequency of prayer and functional health in Presbyterian pastors. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 40, 323–329.CrossRef
go back to reference Neighbors, H. W., Jackson, J. S., Bowman, P. J., & Gurin, G. (1983). Stress, coping, and black mental health: Preliminary findings from a national study. In R. Hess & J. Hermalin (Eds.), Innovation in prevention (pp. 5–29). New York: Haworth Press. Neighbors, H. W., Jackson, J. S., Bowman, P. J., & Gurin, G. (1983). Stress, coping, and black mental health: Preliminary findings from a national study. In R. Hess & J. Hermalin (Eds.), Innovation in prevention (pp. 5–29). New York: Haworth Press.
go back to reference Oman, D., Thoresen, C. E., & McMahon, K. (1999). Volunteerism and mortality among the community-dwelling elderly. Journal of Health Psychology, 4, 301–316.CrossRef Oman, D., Thoresen, C. E., & McMahon, K. (1999). Volunteerism and mortality among the community-dwelling elderly. Journal of Health Psychology, 4, 301–316.CrossRef
go back to reference Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. New York: The Guilford Press. Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. New York: The Guilford Press.
go back to reference Poloma, M. M., & Pendleton, B. F. (1991). The effects of prayer and prayer experiences on measures of general well-being. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 19, 71–83. Poloma, M. M., & Pendleton, B. F. (1991). The effects of prayer and prayer experiences on measures of general well-being. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 19, 71–83.
go back to reference Rippentrop, A. E., Altmaier, E. M., Chen, J. J., Found, E. M., & Keffala, V. J. (2005). The relationship between religion/spirituality and physical health, mental health, and pain in a chronic pain population. Pain, 116, 311–321.PubMedCrossRef Rippentrop, A. E., Altmaier, E. M., Chen, J. J., Found, E. M., & Keffala, V. J. (2005). The relationship between religion/spirituality and physical health, mental health, and pain in a chronic pain population. Pain, 116, 311–321.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Samana, E. S. T., Goldenstein, P. T., Ribeiro, L.d.M., Lewin, F., Filha, E. S. V., Soares, H. P., et al. (2004). Praying correlates with higher quality of life: Results from a survey on complementary/alternative medicine use among a group of Brazilian cancer patients. Sao Paulo Medical Journal, 122, 60–63. Samana, E. S. T., Goldenstein, P. T., Ribeiro, L.d.M., Lewin, F., Filha, E. S. V., Soares, H. P., et al. (2004). Praying correlates with higher quality of life: Results from a survey on complementary/alternative medicine use among a group of Brazilian cancer patients. Sao Paulo Medical Journal, 122, 60–63.
go back to reference Selim, M. A. (2001). Effect of pre-instruction on anxiety levels of patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging examination. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 7, 519–525.PubMed Selim, M. A. (2001). Effect of pre-instruction on anxiety levels of patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging examination. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 7, 519–525.PubMed
go back to reference Sloan, R. P. (n.d.) Field analysis of the literature on religion, spirituality, and health. Retrieved July, 2005, from http://www.metanexus.net/tarp. Sloan, R. P. (n.d.) Field analysis of the literature on religion, spirituality, and health. Retrieved July, 2005, from http://​www.​metanexus.​net/​tarp.​
go back to reference Sloan, R. P., Bagiella, E., & Powell, T. (1999). Religion, spirituality, and medicine. The Lancet, 353, 664–667.CrossRef Sloan, R. P., Bagiella, E., & Powell, T. (1999). Religion, spirituality, and medicine. The Lancet, 353, 664–667.CrossRef
go back to reference Smith, T. W. (2001). Religion and spirituality in the science and practice of health psychology: Openness, skepticism, and the agnosticism of methodology. In T. G. Plante & A. C. Sherman (Eds.), Faith and health: Psychological perspectives (pp. 355–380). New York: Guilford Press. Smith, T. W. (2001). Religion and spirituality in the science and practice of health psychology: Openness, skepticism, and the agnosticism of methodology. In T. G. Plante & A. C. Sherman (Eds.), Faith and health: Psychological perspectives (pp. 355–380). New York: Guilford Press.
go back to reference Spilka, B., Hood, R. W. Jr., Hunsberger, B., & Gorsuch, R. (2003). The psychology of religion: An empirical approach (3rd ed.). New York: The Guilford Press. Spilka, B., Hood, R. W. Jr., Hunsberger, B., & Gorsuch, R. (2003). The psychology of religion: An empirical approach (3rd ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.
go back to reference Tracy, M. F., Lindquist, R., Savik, K., Watanuki, S., Sendelbach, S., Kreitzer, M. J., et al. (2005). Use of complementary and alternative therapies: A national survey of critical care nurses. American Journal of Critical Care, 14, 404–414.PubMed Tracy, M. F., Lindquist, R., Savik, K., Watanuki, S., Sendelbach, S., Kreitzer, M. J., et al. (2005). Use of complementary and alternative therapies: A national survey of critical care nurses. American Journal of Critical Care, 14, 404–414.PubMed
go back to reference United States Department of Health and Human Services. (1991). Important events in NCCAM history. Retrieved January 5, 2007, from http://www.nih.gov/about/almanac/organization/ NCCAM.htm. United States Department of Health and Human Services. (1991). Important events in NCCAM history. Retrieved January 5, 2007, from http://​www.​nih.​gov/​about/​almanac/​organization/​ NCCAM.htm.
go back to reference Yeh, G. Y., Eisenberg, D. M., Davis, R. B., & Phillips, R. S. (2002). Use of complementary and alternative medicine among persons with diabetes mellitus: Results of a national survey. American Journal of Public Health, 92, 1648–1652.PubMedCrossRef Yeh, G. Y., Eisenberg, D. M., Davis, R. B., & Phillips, R. S. (2002). Use of complementary and alternative medicine among persons with diabetes mellitus: Results of a national survey. American Journal of Public Health, 92, 1648–1652.PubMedCrossRef
Metagegevens
Titel
Prayer and Health: Review, Meta-Analysis, and Research Agenda
Auteurs
Kevin S. Masters
Glen I. Spielmans
Publicatiedatum
01-08-2007
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Uitgave 4/2007
Print ISSN: 0160-7715
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3521
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-007-9106-7

Andere artikelen Uitgave 4/2007

Journal of Behavioral Medicine 4/2007 Naar de uitgave