Relationships Between Intrinsic Religiosity, Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Outpatients and Health Care Professionals in Brazil

Religiosity and Spirituality (R/S) have been highly studied in connection with mental health, but has hardly been explored in outpatients and health care professionals (HCP). This study aimed to evaluate intrinsic religiosity (IR) and its relationship with mental health in outpatients and HCP in Brazil. A total of 1.864 participants were evaluated. Based on a linear regression model, stress was associated with lower IR, age and education (p < 0.05); anxiety was associated with lower IR, age and unemployment (p < 0.05); and depression was associated with lower IR, age and education (p < 0.05) in outpatients. In HCP, stress was associated with lower IR (p < 0.05); women and profession were associated with anxiety (p < 0.05); and lower IR and women were associated with depression (p < 0.05). Regardless of the group they were in, higher IR was found to be associated with less stress and depression symptoms, as well as less anxiety symptoms in outpatients. These findings support the relevance of R/S for improving mental health in outpatients and HCP. The HCP and managers should be aware of the beliefs of their patients, and encourage their participation in R/S strategies.