Does Religion Support Better Mental Health in Older Adults?
Research increasingly suggests that religious and spiritual practices may play a meaningful role in supporting mental health and overall well-being among older adults. Multiple studies have examined this connection, revealing several pathways through which faith-based activities appear to benefit cognitive and emotional health in later life.
One comprehensive analysis of randomized control trials found that 73 percent of studies examined reported better cognitive health among individuals who were more spiritually active. This finding points to a consistent pattern across research, though scientists continue to investigate the specific mechanisms that explain this relationship.
A key factor appears to be social connection. As people age, their social networks naturally become smaller, which can increase the risk of loneliness and isolation. Both of these conditions have been linked to poor cognitive health outcomes. Religious organizations often serve as important sources of social support for older adults. When people participate in religious services and activities, they maintain connections with others and build what researchers call social capital, which reflects the strength of community bonds and available support systems. This social engagement appears to contribute to spiritual well-being, which in turn supports better mental health.
Religious practice may also influence mental health through stress management and coping mechanisms. Spiritual beliefs can help people interpret difficult events in less threatening ways. For example, belief in divine control and regular religious service attendance have been associated with better sleep quality in research studies. Since sleep problems often accompany depression and anxiety, this connection may be particularly important for older adults facing health challenges or life transitions.
The relationship between spirituality and hope also appears significant. Studies of older adults aged 60 to 89 years have found meaningful correlations between hope and spirituality, suggesting these factors work together to reinforce well-being. Research examining 1,348 older adults confirmed that spirituality plays an important role in helping people cope with daily challenges associated with aging and, combined with hope, promotes higher levels of health and life satisfaction.
Religious involvement may also reduce harmful behaviors that damage mental health. A two-year study found that young people who never attended religious services were twice as likely to use alcohol and tobacco compared to those who attended services weekly, and four times as likely to use illicit drugs. Since excessive alcohol consumption and smoking increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, this protective effect of religious participation could have long-term mental health benefits.
Physical health improvements may also support mental well-being. Research has shown that higher frequency of religious service attendance in older adults was associated with fewer limitations in daily activities and lower levels of inflammation, which is linked to both physical and mental health problems.
However, researchers note that the relationship between spirituality and mental health is complex. Some recent studies have found inconclusive results, and a few have even reported negative effects in certain populations. One study found that spirituality was not a significant mediator between stressful events and resilience in either younger or older adults, which was unexpected given previous research. Scientists suggest that changing cultural attitudes toward religion and spirituality, including increased secularization, may be affecting how these factors influence well-being in modern times.
Additionally, those raised with a religious background appear to experience particular benefits. Analysis shows that people who had a religious upbringing tend to enjoy better physical well-being in later life and report fewer difficulties with daily activities, which can support better mental health outcomes overall.
The evidence suggests that for many older adults, religious and spiritual practices offer meaningful support for mental health through multiple pathways: social connection, stress management, better sleep, reduced substance use, and improved physical health. While the relationship is not universal and varies among individuals, the research indicates that religion and spirituality can be valuable resources for supporting mental well-being in older age.
Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12731188/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12732748/
https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/wrsa20
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1662166/full
