Religiosity of Latinas Living in the USA Curbs Depression and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Overview

Journal J Relig Health

Publisher Springer

Specialties General Medicine
Psychology
Social Sciences

Date 2024 Apr 13

PMID 38613633

Authors

Maud Joachim-Celestin

Nishita Matangi

Jemima Ruth Bagcus

Susanne B Montgomery

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This mixed-methods study was conducted to explore the role of faith in mental health among Latino women (Latinas) during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of a lifestyle study, surveys were administered to 89 participants during the 1st year of the pandemic. Specifically, a focus group was conducted with participants (n = 6) directly affected by COVID-19 (i.e., self or family member). The results showed inverse correlations between religiosity and both depression and anxiety, as well as positive correlations among religious practices, religious coping, and religiosity. Given these associations, future interventions should explore the role of faith in supporting individuals during difficult times.

References

Spitzer R, Kroenke K, Williams J, Lowe B . A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Arch Intern Med. 2006; 166(10):1092-7. DOI: 10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092. View

Molina Y, Henderson V, Ornelas I, Scheel J, Bishop S, Doty S . Understanding Complex Roles of Family for Latina Health: Evaluating Family Obligation Stress. Fam Community Health. 2019; 42(4):254-260. PMC: 6693639. DOI: 10.1097/FCH.0000000000000232. View

Mainous 3rd A, Diaz V, Geesey M . Acculturation and healthy lifestyle among Latinos with diabetes. Ann Fam Med. 2008; 6(2):131-7. PMC: 2267424. DOI: 10.1370/afm.814. View

Sehgal A, Himmelstein D, Woolhandler S . Feasibility of Separate Rooms for Home Isolation and Quarantine for COVID-19 in the United States. Ann Intern Med. 2020; 174(1):127-129. PMC: 7392146. DOI: 10.7326/M20-4331. View

Cleaveland C, Frankenfeld C . Household Financial Hardship Factors Are Strongly Associated with Poorer Latino Mental Health During COVID-19. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2022; 10(4):1823-1836. PMC: 9281376. DOI: 10.1007/s40615-022-01366-8. View

Koenig H, Zaben F . Psychometric Validation and Translation of Religious and Spiritual Measures. J Relig Health. 2021; 60(5):3467-3483. DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01373-9. View

Bussing A, Ostermann T, Matthiessen P . Role of religion and spirituality in medical patients: confirmatory results with the SpREUK questionnaire. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2005; 3:10. PMC: 550666. DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-3-10. View

Garcia-Campayo J, Zamorano E, Ruiz M, Pardo A, Perez-Paramo M, Lopez-Gomez V . Cultural adaptation into Spanish of the generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale as a screening tool. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2010; 8:8. PMC: 2831043. DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-8-8. View

Blanco L, Cruz V, Frederick D, Herrera S . Financial Stress Among Latino Adults in California During COVID-19. J Econ Race Policy. 2022; 5(2):134-148. PMC: 8327043. DOI: 10.1007/s41996-021-00087-0. View

10.

Bonelli R, Dew R, Koenig H, Rosmarin D, Vasegh S . Religious and spiritual factors in depression: review and integration of the research. Depress Res Treat. 2012; 2012:962860. PMC: 3426191. DOI: 10.1155/2012/962860. View

11.

Bussing A, Rodrigues Recchia D, Dienberg T, Surzykiewicz J, Baumann K . Awe/Gratitude as an Experiential Aspect of Spirituality and Its Association to Perceived Positive Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychiatry. 2021; 12:642716. PMC: 8095710. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.642716. View

12.

Zhong Q, Gelaye B, Fann J, Sanchez S, Williams M . Cross-cultural validity of the Spanish version of PHQ-9 among pregnant Peruvian women: a Rasch item response theory analysis. J Affect Disord. 2014; 158:148-53. PMC: 4004697. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2014.02.012. View

13.

McKnight-Eily L, Okoro C, Strine T, Verlenden J, Hollis N, Njai R . Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Prevalence of Stress and Worry, Mental Health Conditions, and Increased Substance Use Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, April and May 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021; 70(5):162-166. PMC: 7861483. DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7005a3. View

14.

Stege A, Godinez J . Trusting in God: Religious and Spiritual Support in Mental Health Treatment Expectations in Mexico. J Relig Health. 2022; 61(5):3655-3676. DOI: 10.1007/s10943-022-01554-0. View

15.

Mahmood Q, Jafree S, Sohail M, Akram M . A Cross-Sectional Survey of Pakistani Muslims Coping with Health Anxiety through Religiosity during the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Relig Health. 2021; 60(3):1462-1474. PMC: 7950429. DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01218-5. View

16.

Bussing A, Rodrigues Recchia D, Starck L, van Treeck K . Perceived Changes of Attitudes and Behaviors of Seventh-Day Adventists During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Germany. J Relig Health. 2022; 61(3):2253-2278. PMC: 9110213. DOI: 10.1007/s10943-022-01580-y. View

17.

Mitchell L, Romans S . Spiritual beliefs in bipolar affective disorder: their relevance for illness management. J Affect Disord. 2003; 75(3):247-57. DOI: 10.1016/s0165-0327(02)00055-1. View

18.

Simsir Z, Koc H, Seki T, Griffiths M . The relationship between fear of COVID-19 and mental health problems: A meta-analysis. Death Stud. 2021; 46(3):515-523. DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2021.1889097. View

19.

Achour M, Souici D, Bensaid B, Binti Ahmad Zaki N, Alnahari A . Coping with Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Academics in the Muslim World. J Relig Health. 2021; 60(6):4579-4599. PMC: 8435299. DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01422-3. View

20.

Spitzer R, Kroenke K, Williams J . Validation and utility of a self-report version of PRIME-MD: the PHQ primary care study. Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders. Patient Health Questionnaire. JAMA. 1999; 282(18):1737-44. DOI: 10.1001/jama.282.18.1737. View