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Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Behavioral Medicine 4/2007

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

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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.
 
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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

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