ABSTRACT

We published a meta-analysis to determine the longitudinal positive effect of religion or spirituality (R/S) on mental health. Forty-eight longitudinal studies were summarized (59 independent samples). The meta-analysis yielded a significant, but small overall effect size of r =.08. We concluded that there is evidence for a positive effect of R/S on mental health, but this effect is small. Our meta-analysis was recently criticized in this Journal by Koenig et al. Scientific debate is welcome, but we disagree with most of their comments. Our reply focusses on the following topics: Is the effect of R/S small? Might methodological issues underlie the small overall effect size? Randomized controlled studies, and change course and look elsewhere for more convincing results?

摘要

我们发表了荟萃分析，以确定宗教或灵性（R / S）对心理健康的纵向正面影响。总结了四十八项纵向研究（59个独立样本）。荟萃分析得出了显着但较小的总体效应值，r = .08。我们得出的结论是，有证据表明R / S对心理健康具有积极作用，但这种作用很小。最近，Koenig等人在本杂志上批评了我们的荟萃分析。欢迎进行科学辩论，但我们不同意他们的大多数评论。我们的答复集中在以下主题：R / S的影响小吗？方法问题可能是总体效果较小的基础吗？随机对照研究，改变路线，寻找其他更有说服力的结果？