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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jennifer A. Nolan, MS, PhD, Center for the Study of Spirituality, Theology and Religion, Duke University Medical Center, P O Box 93412, Durham, NC 27708-3412, 607 280 0286, jan13@duke.edu

This review provides conceptual distinctions between religiousness and spirituality, and four key hypothesized pathways identified and categorized from the literature, posited to explain the effects of religious participation on health.

First, a conceptual definition distinguishing religiousness from spirituality is provided. Next, a review of studies on religiousness and health is presented. Last, four key theoretical pathways are identified and categorized from approximately ten pathways found in the literature. These four pathways may provide the most plausible explanations of the association between spirituality/religiousness and health.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Define and list distinctions between religiousness and spirituality.
  
• List examples of key studies of religiousness effects on health.
  
• Evaluate key mediating pathways to help explain the relationship of religiousness to health.

Keywords: Faith Community, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered