Spirituality, Religiosity, Quality of Life and Mental Health Among Pantaneiros: A Study Involving a Vulnerable Population in Pantanal Wetlands, Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between spirituality, religiosity (S/R), mental health and quality of life in a vulnerable population in the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil. A total of 129 individuals were interviewed. We examined mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), quality of life (SF-12), spirituality (self-spirituality rating scale), religiosity (DUREL) and R/S opinions. Individuals had high levels of spirituality, non-organizational and intrinsic religiosity, but low levels of religious attendance. Most participants said they would like to have their faith addressed by a health professional and that this approach would strengthen their trust on the doctors. Higher levels of spirituality were associated with less anxiety (β = - 0.236, p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms (β = - 0.398, p < 0.001); higher levels of non-organizational religiosity were associated with less anxiety (β = - 0.250, p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms (β = - 0.351, p < 0.001); and higher levels of intrinsic religiosity were associated with less depressive symptoms (β = - 0.315, p < 0.001). Quality of life was not associated with any religious/spiritual measures.

Keywords: Mental health; Quality of life; Religiosity; Spirituality; Underserved community; Vulnerable population.