Of the Models of Wellness, many contain a spiritual component - most often as a "primary" component, alongside physical, social and perhaps many more components (eg mental is divided into two or more primary components, such as emotional wellness and intellectual wellness).
The inclusion of spirituality* as a component of wellness, most especially as a stand-alone primary component of wellness, implies one must be spiritual to be well. In other words, the lack of spirituality - similar to the lack of any other aspect of wellness, such as healthy eating, suggests the individual is less well - other factors being equal, of course.
*The models that include spirituality as a dimension of wellness ask questions about an individual's spirituality, makes recommendations as to how to be "more" spiritual if one scores low in spirituality, etc. Basically the same items they include for other components of wellness, such as the primary component of physical wellness (which is often described to include healthy eating, regular physical activity, etc.).
The obvious problem with including spirituality as a component of a wellness model is approximately 7% of US Americans are atheists (and the percent is much high in certain other countries, such as France) and for simplicity of discussion, are not at all spiritual. Because of this, I contend spirituality is an "OPTIONAL sub-component of the mental dimension.
So, I believe spirituality is not and can not be a "required" component of wellness, but is an "optional" sub-component of mental wellness. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Do you know of any research in this area?
As an aside, my construct of a model of wellness includes only three primary components: Physical, Mental, and Social. As suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO) Constitution's (1947) definition of health as being composed of three primary components: Physical, Mental, and Social. Further, that all other dimensions or aspects of wellness that can possibly be conceived / suggested are sub-components of one of the three primary components. For example, I support Halbert Dunn's (1961) suggestion that family wellness is a type of social wellness.
Thank you!
Yes I agree. It has been shown to be associated with better health. The general idea is that people who are connected to spirituality believe in something bigger than themselves---and it's not just spirituality but belonging to any bigger group or belief, or cultural identity, will have this effect too. On the other hand, you can't force people to be religious or spiritual, so if they're not inclined to be that way, then they're not inclined.
Two books I know of, "Who Gets Sick," and "A Different Kind of Health," by Blair Justice. They both summarize a lot of research.
Thank you! I will see what I can find out her books and the references therein. To clarify, though, "... I believe spirituality is not and can not be a "required" component of wellness, but is an "optional" sub-component of mental wellness" (per my original post). Accordingly, I look forward to reviewing the research she sites. Thank you, again
Oh, wow - so do you have the names of any of the references? (sorry, I was editing my previous answer)
I found the Who Gets Sick... book online and site provides pages and pages of references... so, if you happen to recall the names of any of the researchers please let me know. Thank you
https://www.amazon.com/Who-Gets-Sick-Thinking-1987-12-01/dp/B01FIZ2DK6
I also found info about his A Different Kind of Health: : Finding Well Being Despite Illness. Thank you, again.
I am looking at spirituality as a missing component in wellness frameworks.
Here are some articles that I have come across:
Duggleby W, Cooper D, Penz K. Hope, self-efficacy, spiritual well-being and job satisfaction. Journal of advanced nursing. 2009 Nov;65(11):2376-85. PMID: 19737323. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05094.x.
Selman LE, Brighton LJ, Sinclair S, Karvinen I, Egan R, Speck P, et al. Patients' and caregivers' needs, experiences, preferences and research priorities in spiritual care: A focus group study across nine countries. Palliative medicine. 2017 Oct 01:269216317734954. PMID: 29020846. doi: 10.1177/0269216317734954.
Vachon MLS. Meaning, Spirituality, and Wellness in Cancer Survivors. Seminars in Oncology Nursing. 2008;24(3):218-25. doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2008.05.010.
Katerndahl DA. Impact of spiritual symptoms and their interactions on health services and life satisfaction. Ann Fam Med. 2008 Sep-Oct;6(5):412-20. PMID: 18779545. doi: 10.1370/afm.886.
Purdy M, Dupey P. Holistic Flow Model of Spiritual Wellness. Couns Values. 2005;49(2):95.
Westgate CE. Spiritual Wellness and Depression. Journal of Counseling & Development. 1996;75(1):26-35.
Gill CS, Barrio Minton C, Myers J. Poor, Rural Women: Spirituality, Religion, and Wellness Across the Life Span. Adultspan Journal. 2015;14(2):66-76. doi: 10.1002/adsp.12005.
Thanks. I will review. However, while I believe spirituality can greatly help many people - to include many who suffer from depression, are terminally ill, etc, I do not believe that all people must be spiritual to be well. Do you?
Spirituality is an anchor in a world that increasingly is controlled by technology and dehumanizes the individual.
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