Arnes S M, Kleiven M, Olstad R, Fønnebø V
Institutt for samfunnsmedisin, Universitetet i Tromsø.
Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 1996 Dec 10;116(30):3598-601.
The Finnmark Health Study in 1990 included questions on both mental health and religious affiliation. 7,633 individuals were invited to take part in the study, and 4,387 (58%) answered the question about religious affiliation. Members of the Norwegian Church (Lutheran Evangelical) had the highest score on all mental health variables. The group without any connection with a religious organization (non-members) contained highest proportion of persons who were not content with their life (20%) and the highest proportion who had coping problems (11%). Non-members and members of the "Laestadianer" spiritual movement showed the highest proportion with insomnia (36%). The proportion using psychotropic drugs was highest among the members of the "Laestadianer" spiritual movement (13%), which also contained the highest proportion reporting low global health. Owing to its cross-sectional design, the present study is unable to establish the causal direction of the association between religious affiliation and mental health. Various aspects of some religious beliefs and practices can probably cause mental health problems, and persons with mental health problems may be attracted to certain religious groups. Only future follow-up studies can untangle and quantify these possible causal associations.
1990年的芬马克健康研究涵盖了心理健康和宗教归属方面的问题。7633人受邀参与该研究，其中4387人（58%）回答了有关宗教归属的问题。挪威教会（路德会福音派）在所有心理健康变量上得分最高。与宗教组织没有任何关联的群体（非成员）中，对生活不满意的人比例最高（20%），有应对问题的人比例也最高（11%）。“莱斯塔迪派”宗教运动的非成员和成员中失眠的比例最高（36%）。使用精神药物的比例在“莱斯塔迪派”宗教运动的成员中最高（13%），该群体中报告整体健康状况不佳的比例也最高。由于本研究采用横断面设计，无法确定宗教归属与心理健康之间关联的因果方向。某些宗教信仰和实践的各个方面可能会导致心理健康问题，而有心理健康问题的人可能会被某些宗教团体所吸引。只有未来的随访研究才能理清并量化这些可能的因果关联。
