The Wellbeing Benefits of Spirituality
The wellbeing benefits of spirituality are evidenced in rigorous research and theory.
We welcome being guided to papers and research we may have missed. Please contact us.
Schools Spiritual Wellbeing Research
For research specifically related to our National Schools Spiritual Wellbeing Project click here
Evidence for the Benefits of a Spiritual Approach
Over 10,000 peer reviewed academic papers from medical sociology demonstrate the health and wellbeing benefits of a spiritual approach. These are three major sources that have aggregated the research:
Balboni TA, VanderWeele TJ, Doan-Soares SD, et al. Spirituality in serious illness and health. JAMA. 2022;328(2):184-197. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.11086
Harold G. Koenig: “Religion, Spirituality, and Health: The Research and Clinical Implications”, International Scholarly Research Network Psychiatry Volume 2012, Article ID 278730
Michael E. McCullough and Brian L. B. Willoughby, ‘Religion, Self-Regulation, and Self-Control: Associations, Explanations and Implications’, Psychological Bulletin, January 2009
Ongoing Research is taking place in many universities and research institutes. Beware of false claims being made in the global wellbeing industry. A useful monthly digest can be found in Duke University’s Crossroads
Evidence Based Benefits of a Spiritual Approach
| PHYSICAL | MENTAL | BEHAVIOURAL | SOCIAL |
| Lowered ⬇ | Lowered ⬇ | Lowered ⬇ | Lowered ⬇ |
| Heart disease | Depression | Alcohol | Disengagement |
| Hypertension | Anxiety | Substance abuse | Criminality |
| Cancer | Psychosis | Smoking | Relational instability |
| Pain | Suicide | Weight | Fragmentation |
| Improved ⬆ | Improved ⬆ | Improved ⬆ | Improved ⬆ |
| Resilience | Coping with adversity | Diet | Social support |
| General health | Positive emotions / Self-esteem | Body image | Social capital |
| Longevity | Wellbeing | Communication skills | Community cohesion |
| Faster convalescence | Meaning/Purpose | Relationship skills | Citizenship |
Psychology & Physiology of the Benefits
Theories and models of the psychology and physiology are continually being developed and are at the cutting edge of much research.
The general model for how the health benefits are achieved is straightforward. A spiritual approach to life creates a psychological and experiential inclination that lowers anxiety and tension. Lowered anxiety reduces tissue inflammation and enables pain-free flexibility. At the same time, there is a psychological benefit of increased meaning, purpose, confidence, connection and calm.
For a fuller discussion of the psychological and physiological model click here.
Recent Relevant Publications
5 March 2026
Four papers have simultaneously been published by the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. All begin with the title ‘Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality.’ Links to all four papers can be found on the Sage Journals web page (scroll down the Sage page for the March dates): click here
24 February 2026
People who feel a spiritual connection to their surroundings tend to report better mental health.
https://www.psypost.org/people-who-feel-a-spiritual-connection-to-their-surroundings-tend-to-report-better-mental-health/
18 February 2026
Spiritual practices strongly associated with reduced risk for hazardous alcohol and drug use.
https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/spiritual-practices-strongly-associated-with-reduced-risk-for-hazardous-alcohol-and-drug-use/
8 February 2026
Schools that cultivate the mind but neglect spiritual education leave children unanchored in a challenging world
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/09/children-schools-spiritual-education
6 February 2026
Spirituality can’t be reduced to what’s happening in the brain.
https://psyche.co/ideas/spirituality-cant-be-reduced-to-whats-happening-in-the-brain