PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION:

impacts of religious practice on psychological well-being

Abstract

Introduction: One of the topics explored by the psychology of religion is the impact of religious practice on psychological well-being. In addition to offering emotional and social support, religion is often associated with better quality of life, especially in contexts of suffering, such as serious illnesses and family crises. However, religious practice can also generate negative feelings, such as guilt and anxiety, depending on the interpretation of beliefs. Objective: To discuss the impacts of religious practices on psychological well-being from a historical perspective. Materials and Methods: Integrative literature review using the descriptors “Psychology of Religion,” “well-being,” “religion and spirituality,” “psychotherapy,” and “Brazil” in the Scielo and UpToDate databases, followed by Bardin’s Content Analysis. Results: The research indicates that integrating the spiritual dimension into psychological treatment can increase therapeutic effectiveness. However, the scarcity of recent studies and the lack of adequate professional training are ongoing challenges. Conclusion: Considering the spiritual dimension as a constitutive part of subjectivity implies recognizing the plurality of human experiences beyond traditional intervention models. Thus, approaching the Psychology of Religion in the contemporary context requires new investigative perspectives and an ethical commitment to listening to and welcoming diverse forms of meaning and transcendence.