Handbook of Religion and Health

• Provides an up-to-date, detailed background on religion and health care
• Gives guidance on conducting research on religion and health
• Includes an appendix that provides the latest and best published research

Readership: Students and scholars interested in religion and health, as well as medical practitioners.

Harold Koenig, Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Associate Professor of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, USA, Dana King, Professor, Medical University of South Carolina, USA, and Verna B. Carson, Associate Professor, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, Towson University, USA

Harold G. Koenig is professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and assiciate professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Center, and is a distinguished adjunct professor at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He is director of Duke University's Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health in Durham, North Carolina. Dana E. King is professor of family medicine and vice chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. Verna Benner Carson is associate professor of nursing at Towson University in Fallston, Maryland.

"This book provides a fascinating look at the role of religion and the use of health services against the background of the current availability of and access to health care across all segments of society... This is an unparalleled resource not only for physicians with an interest in the relationship between religion and health but perhaps even more for those who doubt its significance. All physicians should consider the possibility that something so meaningful to a large number of patients might also be good for their health." - Journal of the American Medical Association (for the previous edition)

"In addition to presenting a synopsis of the overwhelming amount of research in this area, the authors provide a thoughtful reflection and commentary that is based on their collective understanding of this research and its application. Does the book deliver on its promise? Absolutely. This is a must read for anyone interested in this field. It is well written, comprehensive, scholarly, and engaging... The authors should be commended for an extraordinary job on this soon to be classic text." - Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion (for the previous edition)

"This would be an excellent addition to the library of congregations and their clergy, health educators, youth workers, and professional chaplains." - Anglican Theological Review (for the previous edition)

"I encourage anyone concerned with faith and health, to get this book." - Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (for the previous edition)

"Not only researchers, but all concerned about health, should be grateful for the wealth of information this volume provides to support better research in the future." - Second Opinion (for the previous edition)

Foreword (Linda George)
Preface (Jeff Levin)
Introduction
I. Background
1. A history of religion, medicine, and health care
2. Definitions
II. Debating religion's effects on health
3. Religion: good or bad?
4. Coping with stress
5. Religion and coping
III. Research on religion and mental health
6. Well-being and positive emotions
7. Depression
8. Suicide
9. Anxiety disorders
10. Psychotic disorders
11. Alcohol and drug use
12. Delinquency and crime
13. Marital instability
14. Personality and personality disorder
15. Understanding religion's effects on mental health
IV. Research on religion and physical health
16. Heart disease
17. Hypertension
18. Cerebrovascular disease
19. Alzheimer's disease and dementia
20. Immune fuctions
21. Endocrine system
22. Cancer 23. Mortality 24. Physical disability 25. Pain and somatic symptoms
26. Health behaviors
27. Disease prevention
V. Understanding the religion-physical health relationship
28. Psychological, social, and behavioral pathways
29. Conclusions
Appendix. Studies on religion and health (by health outcome)
References
Index