Neuropeptide Y and religious commitment in healthy young women. Issue 2 (18th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tønnesen, Mathilde T.; Miani, Alessandro; Pedersen, Anders Sune; Mitkidis, Panagiotis; Zak, Paul J.; Winterdahl, Michael
• Is Part Of: Acta neuropsychiatrica. Volume 31:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 106
• Page End: 112
• Publication Date: 2018-12-18
• Subjects: neuropeptide Y, -- oxytocin, -- religion; Neuropsychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1017/neu.2018.34
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0924-2708

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The present study explores the relationship between neuroactive hormones and religious commitment. We hypothesised that religious commitment is mediated by neuropeptide Y and oxytocin. These neurohormones have a well-established role in general well-being, anxiety regulation, stress-resilience, social affiliation and spirituality. Methods: Sixty healthy women (median age 21) participated in the study and completed the Religious Commitment Inventory and other psychometric surveys. Blood was sampled from each participant and serum levels of neuropeptide Y were measured using radioimmunoassay. Oxytocin, stress and sex hormones were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlations were tested using non-parametric statistical methods. Results: We found a positive correlation between serum neuropeptide Y levels and religious commitment, but not between oxytocin and religious commitment. Conclusions: The present study provides preliminary evidence that neuropeptide Y is a biological correlate of religious commitment.