Psychotic experiences and religiosity: data from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys. (16th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kovess‐Masfety, V.; Saha, S.; Lim, C. C. W.; Aguilar‐Gaxiola, S.; Al‐Hamzawi, A.; Alonso, J.; Borges, G.; de Girolamo, G.; de Jonge, P.; Demyttenaere, K.; Florescu, S.; Haro, J. M.; Hu, C.; Karam, E. G.; Kawakami, N.; Lee, S.; Lepine, J. P.; Navarro‐Mateu, F.; Stagnaro, J. C.; ten Have, M.; Viana, M. C.; Kessler, R. C.; McGrath, J. J.
• Other Names: Al‐Kaisy Salih investigator.; Andrade Helena investigator.; Benjet Corina investigator.; Bruffaerts Ronny investigator.; Bunting Brendan investigator.; de Almeida investigator.; Cardoso Graça investigator.; Chatterji Somnath investigator.; Cia Alfredo H investigator.; Degenhardt Louisa investigator.; Fayyad John investigator.; Gureje Oye investigator.; He Yanling investigator.; Hinkov Hristo investigator.; Hu Chi‐yi investigator.; Huang Yueqin investigator.; Karam Nasser investigator.; Kiejna Andrzej investigator.; Levinson Daphna investigator.; Medina‐Mora Elena investigator.; Mneimneh Zeina investigator.; Moskalewicz Jacek investigator.; Pennell Beth‐Ellen investigator.; Piazza Marina investigator.; Posada‐Villa Jose investigator.; Scott Kate M investigator.; Slade Tim investigator.; Stein Dan J investigator.; Torres Yolanda investigator.; Whiteford Harvey investigator.; Williams David R investigator.; Wojtyniak Bogdan investigator.;
• Is Part Of: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica. Volume 137:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 306
• Page End: 315
• Publication Date: 2018-02-16
• Subjects: religiosity -- psychotic experiences -- World Mental Health Survey -- epidemiology; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1111/acps.12859
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-690X

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: Religiosity is often associated with better health outcomes. The aim of the study was to examine associations between psychotic experiences (PEs) and religiosity in a large, cross‐national sample. Methods: A total of 25 542 adult respondents across 18 countries from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys were assessed for PEs, religious affiliation and indices of religiosity, DSM‐IV mental disorders and general medical conditions. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between PEs and religiosity with various adjustments. Results: Of 25 542 included respondents, 85.6% (SE = 0.3) ( n = 21 860) respondents reported having a religious affiliation. Overall, there was no association between religious affiliation status and PEs. Within the subgroup having a religious affiliation, four of five indices of religiosity were significantly associated with increased odds of PEs (odds ratios ranged from 1.3 to 1.9). The findings persisted after adjustments for mental disorders and/or general medical conditions, as well as religious denomination type. There was a significant association between increased religiosity and reporting more types of PEs. Conclusions: Among individuals with religious affiliations, those who reported more religiosity on four of five indices had increased odds of PEs. Focussed and more qualitative research will be required to unravel the interrelationship between religiosity and PEs.