Research has shown that adults 50 or older, who had strong religious or spiritual beliefs, tend to do better if hospitalized with an illness. It was discovered that older adults who belonged to an organized religion or practiced spirituality, when hospitalized, were more capable of performing day-to-day activities such as household chores. Experts found that these people also showed fewer signs of depression, had better social support and functioned better mentally.

Experts added they believed religion was a powerful coping tool for stress, particularly with illnesses. One researcher explained that faith may provide a meaning behind the person’s suffering and may help them understand why they became sick.

It is also shown that faith may play a part in deterring people from unhealthy habits like smoking, when dealing with stressful situations.

The study involved questioning 838 hospitalized adults, who were 50 and over, about their various religious beliefs and spirituality. The goal of the study was to find out what kind of impact religion and spirituality had on a person’s psychological and physical health.

The studies concluded that when patients involved in religious activities and spiritual experiences became hospitalized; they received better social support, showed better mental health and to a certain extent, better physical health than those without religious or spiritual beliefs. Based on these findings, experts recommended doctors ask their patients about their beliefs and take them into consideration with treatment, instead of ignoring the beliefs when the patient brought them up.

On the other hand, experts cautioned doctors not to push religion on patients who don’t express religious beliefs, as the decision is a private one that should not be solely decided upon due to health reasons.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society April 2004;52(4):554-62.