Depression in Australian women: the varied roles of spirituality and social support.

This study investigated the influence of spirituality on depression in Western Australian women. Two hundred and seventy-eight women (aged 18-78) completed an online survey about factors relating to daily spiritual experience, depression, anxiety and social support. Significant correlations were found between spiritual experience and depression, whereby individuals who reported higher spirituality also reported higher rates of social support and lower levels of depression. A major finding from this study was that spirituality accounted for a significant proportion of variance in depressive symptoms beyond the mediating effect of social support.

Personality disorders and spirituality.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In order to consider findings about the relationship between spirituality, religiosity and personality disorders, recent research was reviewed and emerging patterns in the latest findings were explored. RECENT FINDINGS: Within the diagnostic category of personality disorders, recent research into the role of spirituality has focused on schizotypy and borderline personality traits and aspects of 'control' relating to antisocial personality disorder. Although the number of studies is quite limited, this review has highlighted an interesting pattern emerging from recent studies that suggests that, while overall psychological well being has previously been reported as low, spiritual well being remains high in studies of personality focusing on schizotypy and borderline personality traits. SUMMARY: The positive link between religious and spiritual well being and mental health has been corroborated by a number of studies. This review of recent research has identified emerging trends suggesting that the dimensions of religious and spiritual well being remain high for individuals displaying schizotypy and borderline personality traits, and is not as reduced as general well being in individuals diagnosed with personality disorders. Although much work remains to be conducted with individuals diagnosed with personality disorders, spirituality appears to be an interesting area to explore clinically.