Religion, Senescence, and Mental Health: the end of Life is not the end of Hope

The authors review epidemiological & survey research relevant to the relationship between religiousness / spirituality & mental health in people at the end of life. They give special attention to well-being, religious coping, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, depression, & suicide. Studies were selected from the systematic review of 20th century scientific literature concerning religion & health. Results indicate that religion’s effects on mental health are generally protective in direction but modest in strength. (97 refs) (SC)