Religiosity/spirituality and mental health: the moderating role of sensory processing sensitivity

Abstract Religiosity/spirituality (R/S) is often associated with better mental health (MH); however, a small portion of reports come to different conclusions. Several aspects are known to contribute to this heterogeneity of findings, but some have still not been explored. Sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) is a neurophysiological trait that has already been associated with both R/S and MH. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore the associations between selected aspects of MH, R/S and SPS. The research sample ( n = 2406; 48.7 ± 16.6 years; 50.2% males) was obtained using an online survey. We assessed the association of spirituality, religious attendance (which regards mainly a Roman Catholic Church) and SPS, including it sensory aspect only (SPS-S), with anxiety, depression, neuroticism and 5 symptoms of MH problems. Binary logistic regression models revealed no significant associations for religious attendance. Associations with all 5 observed symptoms of MH problems were observed for spirituality (Z-scores; odds ratios, ORs, ranging from 1.13 to 1.38, p < 0.01–0.001), SPS (Z-scores; ORs 1.57–2.33; p < 0.001) and SPS-S (Z-scores; ORs 1.38–1.73 p < 0.001). However, the negative association of spirituality with MH could be at least partly explained by the moderating effect of SPS, as shown in other models and as confirmed by a decrease of β coefficients in multivariate linear regression models. We conclude that SPS is associated with worse MH. Its partial overlap with R/S may in some cases lead to an association of R/S with MH problems. In research, R/S should be adjusted to SPS.