In prior
blogs we have reported our findings in the general healthy population, but can the
medically ill also improve their wellbeing through Christian living? Can the
same Biblical principles apply in individuals suffering the emotional distress
of sickness?
We recently examined this question in a cross-sectional
survey of patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (1). We evaluated self-reported religious adherence to specific basic
activities and knowledge of faith and personal comfort. This specific analysis
was limited to self-professed Christians.
The survey included 248 patients from one
clinical practice in Charleston, SC and showed that those who were adherent to
activities intended to create religious maturity (drawing encouragement from
other church members, reading Scripture or encouraging others to have faith),
and had at least a basic knowledge about their faith, demonstrated greater
comfort related to their illness and treatment. Specifically, comfort was
manifested as: a positive attitude towards their disease, a better ability to
cope with their symptoms, a belief that God was concerned about their diagnosis
and helped with their treatment.
When
the findings were further analyzed by assessing those subjects who were most
'adherent', compared to those who were least adherent, an even greater
separation between groups was observed with respect to comfort. This finding
may indicate that the more serious a person is about the practice of their religion,
the greater sense of wellbeing they may derive from it.
This study suggested that Christian practice may
assist patients in better coping with their disease and that it may possibly increase
the quality of their life. This study included patients with a chronic ocular
disease. Would the same principles also apply in patients with acute or
systemic disease?
Thanks
for visiting. I hope you will return next week for further discussion about the
practical use of the Bible in daily life.
WC Stewart
1. Stewart WC, Sharpe ED, Kristoffersen CJ, Nelson
LA, Stewart JA. Association
of strength of religious adherence to attitudes regarding glaucoma or ocular
hypertension. Ophthalmic Res 2011:45:53-6.
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