Spirituality in Parkinson's Disease within a Sample from the USA

Abstract

Spirituality and religious beliefs are important for coping with medical conditions. The dopaminergic system is involved in reward behavior, and its dysfunction in Parkinson Disease (PD) raises questions about religiosity and spirituality in people with PD. This study examines the association between levels of spirituality and religiosity and the severity of PD motor and non-motor symptoms. The secondary aim investigates the perceived impact of PD diagnosis on spirituality and religiosity. This was a cross-sectional analysis of demographic, physical, mental, and spirituality and religiosity status in patients with PD recruited for the Health Outcomes Measurement (HOME) Study at the University of Maryland Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Baltimore, USA. Spirituality and religiosity were assessed using the Spiritual Well-being Scale, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Spiritual Religious and Personal Belief field-test instrument. The sample size was 85 PD patients. The mean age (standard deviation) was 65.5 (9.4) years and 67.1% were male. Higher levels of spirituality and religiosity were associated with younger age, sex (female), less education, religious affiliation (Christian), and mental health status. After adjusting for age, education, gender, race, marital status, religion, physical health, mental health, and comorbidity, only anxiety was associated with all of the spirituality/religiosity assessments. The majority of patients reported no change in their religious or spiritual beliefs following diagnosis. Greater spirituality and religiosity were associated with less anxiety. Also, younger women with PD showed higher levels of spirituality and religiosity. Longitudinal studies on more diverse populations are needed.

Keywords: Parkinson Disease; Religiosity; Spirituality.