Psychophysiological Study of Worship

The Spirituality and Health research program is interested in two primary research questions. What dimensions of spirituality influence preventive health behaviors, disease, and survival? How and through what mechanisms does spirituality influence preventive health behaviors, disease, and survival?

Scientific Understanding of the Role of Worship

Principle Investigator: Alexis Abernethy

This project, “Spiritual Experience in Worship: Cultural, Theological, and Psychological Perspectives” seeks to deepen our scientific understanding of the worship experiences of laity with specific interest in worship experiences that are transformational (e.g., change) and the potential health-related effects of worship. The specific aims are as follows: to understand how worship is experienced on a subjective level within and across ethnic and denominational groups; to identify key antecedent and facilitating conditions that contribute to worship experiences; and to assess whether certain types of worship experiences are associated with behavioral and health-related outcomes. This project has been funded in two phase: first phase $110,000 in part by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan (with funds provided by Lily Endowment Inc.) and Fuller Theological Seminary (Graduate School of Psychology, the Provost’s office, and the Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts) and a second phase $163,430 from The Templeton Foundation.

The book, Worship that changes lives: Multidisciplinary and congregational perspectives on spiritual transformation, summarizes some of the key findings from this study. The research team is continuing to  analyze data from this study. Future directions include understanding the relationships among spirituality,  embodiment, transformation, and psychophysiological responding in worship music ministry leaders.

Research Team: Mitzen Black, John Guthrie, Brittany Rice, Laura Rold, and Mike Uh

Spirituality and Health in Women of African Descent

Faculty Investigator: Alexis Abernethy

This project examines the relationship between spirituality and health in women of African descent. Foci include the relationship between spirituality, overeating, and depression in African American women, as well as spirituality and eating disturbance in ethnically diverse populations. This team has recently focused on the role of asceticism on eating disordered behaviors and cognitions.

Research Team: Anna Craycraft, Chris Keiper, Tara Nyasio, and Rachel Chapple