Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2009

Publication Title

Journal of Communicaton & Religion

Volume

32

Issue

2

Pages

347-374

Abstract

Prayer in personal, interpersonal, small, and large group contexts is described in relationship to physical, psychological, and spiritual health. A sample of college and middle-aged adults (N = 189) completed cross-sectional surveys. Quantitative analyses revealed that prayer in all contexts predicted higher levels of spiritual health, and that the strongest prayer predictors of health were: large group prayer for mental health, and private and large group prayer for spiritual health. Qualitative results revealed that prayers for physical health in close personal relationships, and table blessing prayers among family members, were two of the most common types of prayer. Suggestions for future research include investigating the relational outcomes of prayer, developing an inventory of prayer, and examining the bi-directional nature of the prayer-health relationship.

Original Publication Citation

Baesler, E. J., & Ladd, K. (2009). Exploring prayer contexts and health outcomes: From the chair to the pew. Journal of Communication & Religion, 32(2), 347-374.

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