Prevalence and characteristics of Australian women who use prayer or spiritual healing: A nationally representative cross-sectional study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the prevalence and characteristics of users of prayer or spiritual healing among Australian women aged 31-36 years.

DESIGN AND SETTING:

This cross-sectional study was conducted as a part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH). The sample used in the current sub-study were participants from the 'young' cohort (1973-78) (n=8180) aged between 31 and 36 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:

Use of prayer or spiritual healing

RESULTS:

Prayer or spiritual healing was used on a regular basis by 20% of women aged between 31 and 36 years in 2009. Women who had symptoms of chronic illnesses (p=0.001), women who had never smoked (p=0.001) and women who used other forms of CAM (p<0.001) were significantly more likely to use prayer or spiritual healing.

CONCLUSION:

A significant proportion of women use prayer or spiritual healing on a regular basis. Further research is required to better understand their rationale for using prayer or spiritual healing and its perceived impact on health related outcomes and general well-being.

• Authors: Angela Rao, Louise D Hickman, Jane L Phillips, David Sibbritt
• Journal: Complementary therapies in medicine (Complement Ther Med) Vol. 27 Pg. 35-42 (Aug 2016) ISSN: 1873-6963 [Electronic] Scotland
• PMID: 27515874 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adult
• Australia
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Health Behavior (physiology)
• Humans
• Longitudinal Studies
• Prevalence
• Spiritual Therapies (psychology)
• Women's Health