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Spirituality and health: empirically based reflections on recovery.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Pearce, MJ; Rivinoja, CM; Koenig, HG
Published in: Recent Dev Alcohol
2008

In this chapter, we explore the spiritual functioning and well-being of individuals and how this relates to mental health and recovery from alcoholism within the conceptual framework of Alcoholics Anonymous. We raise the question of whether the spiritually oriented focus of AA is a critical factor in achieving recovery. We suggest that examining the findings from a large body of research on religion and mental health may provide further insight into this question. Specifically, we assert that the mechanisms through which the spiritual focus of AA may influence recovery from alcoholism may be similar to the mechanisms through which spirituality may influence mental health. These potential explanatory mechanisms include the provision of a community, a narrative framework for meaning-making, a means of coping through submission and redemption, and prescribed lifestyle behaviors.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Recent Dev Alcohol

DOI

ISSN

0738-422X

Publication Date

2008

Volume

18

Start / End Page

187 / 208

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Suicide
  • Spirituality
  • Life Style
  • Humans
  • Health Status
  • Health Behavior
  • Guilt
  • Empirical Research
  • Depression
  • Convalescence
 

Citation

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Pearce, M. J., Rivinoja, C. M., & Koenig, H. G. (2008). Spirituality and health: empirically based reflections on recovery. Recent Dev Alcohol, 18, 187–208. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-77725-2_11
Pearce, Michelle J., Clark M. Rivinoja, and Harold G. Koenig. “Spirituality and health: empirically based reflections on recovery.Recent Dev Alcohol 18 (2008): 187–208. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-77725-2_11.
Pearce MJ, Rivinoja CM, Koenig HG. Spirituality and health: empirically based reflections on recovery. Recent Dev Alcohol. 2008;18:187–208.
Pearce, Michelle J., et al. “Spirituality and health: empirically based reflections on recovery.Recent Dev Alcohol, vol. 18, 2008, pp. 187–208. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/978-0-387-77725-2_11.
Pearce MJ, Rivinoja CM, Koenig HG. Spirituality and health: empirically based reflections on recovery. Recent Dev Alcohol. 2008;18:187–208.

Published In

Recent Dev Alcohol

DOI

ISSN

0738-422X

Publication Date

2008

Volume

18

Start / End Page

187 / 208

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Suicide
  • Spirituality
  • Life Style
  • Humans
  • Health Status
  • Health Behavior
  • Guilt
  • Empirical Research
  • Depression
  • Convalescence