This literature review aims to explore religiosity, faith, and related beliefs in autistic adolescents. The term religiosity was used interchangeably with various related concepts such as faith, spirituality, and religious beliefs, and a broader, multifaceted approach encompassing the cognitive, subjective, social, cultural, and emotional domains of religiosity is analyzed in this population subgroup. In alignment with the neurodiversity paradigm, this review endeavors to adopt an inclusive lens toward autism spectrum conditions, appreciating the spectrum of cognitive and behavioral differences and highlighting the importance of recognizing strengths and challenges alike, reflecting the nuanced discourse surrounding neurodiversity and autism spectrum conditions. However, terms such as \"high-functioning autism\" and \"disorder\" were used where needed to reflect the journals included in the review. A systematic search was conducted by accessing academic search engines such as APA PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycTests, and PubMed. Only peer-reviewed articles written in English and performed on human subjects were included using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Several recurring themes were identified from the 13 articles selected after review for relevance and quality. The most important finding was the association of different terminologies and features while exploring \"religiosity in autism.\" Thirty-nine key themes were identified, which were grouped into six major themes. These were religious faith, spirituality, and its expression in autistic adolescents; religious behaviors and practices of autistic adolescents; cognition and religion in autistic teens; social and cultural influences on religiosity in autistic young ones; parents\' and carers\' influence, perspectives, and experiences about faith and spirituality on autistic adolescents; and perceived benefits of faith to autistic teens: parents and adolescent perspectives. Looking at the concept of religiosity and spirituality as a whole, it can be inferred from the available research included in this review that religiosity (cognitive abilities, behaviors, and experiences) in a subset of autistic adolescents (high-functioning autism) might not be significantly subdued as compared to neurotypical adolescents. However, there is not enough research to conclude the same or the opposite for autistic adolescents in general. When found, reserved religiosity could be attributed to a plethora of factors, and decreased mental ability or mentalization, empathy, or imagination did not seem to be the sole or primary predictors or contributors to religiosity. The role of culture, parents, carers, and religious affiliations was significant and might be a stronger contributor to religiosity and its expression than other previously argued predictors like mentalization. Many autistic teens and their carers regard religiosity and spirituality as essential domains in their and their children\'s lives, want their children to be given opportunities to be a part of religious groups and affiliations, and look forward to government, religious, and healthcare authorities actively supporting them in this domain. The findings call for policymakers, religious leaders, and stakeholders to devise strategies for inclusion and support for autistic adolescents. The possible role of religion as a resource and coping strategy for these children and their families is worth exploring.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Fasting is common in many religions and is associated with health benefits. This systematic review to compares the impact of different religious fasting practices, on risk of cardiometabolic diseases.
RESULTS: The search covered five databases following PRISMA guidelines to identify papers published in English from inception to March 2023 (updated January 2024). Inclusion criteria were healthy adults in observational studies, who engaged in religious fasting practices, studies were included where data on matched non-fasting individuals was available. Outcomes were systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), and fasting plasma glucose levels. A meta-analysis was conducted, and the review was registered (CRD42022352197). Fourteen studies were met the inclusion criteria with ten studies data being suitable for meta-analysis, reporting on 755 adults participating in fasting practices and 661 non-fasting controls. Religious fasting was associated with a reduction in BMI (-0.40 kg/m2, 95% CI [-0.70, -0.10], p < 0.01). Observance of Ramadan fasting was associated with decreased systolic blood pressure (-3.83  mmHg, 95% CI [-7.44, -0.23], p = 0.04). The observance of Orthodox Christian fasting was associated with a reduction in TC (-0.52 mmoL/l, 95%CI [-0.64, -0.39], p < 0.01). No difference was found for the other outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: This review found religious fasting practices which were associated with a reduction in some biomarkers of cardiometabolic diseases risk. Further research on other fasting practices is needed due to limited data.

Previous studies have shown the benefits of spirituality/religiosity with regard to health and quality of life for people. The high prevalence of neurological disorders, which are the main diseases that cause disability and dependency around the world, makes neurological disorders especially relevant. This systematic mapping review aimed to map the knowledge of spirituality experienced by people with neurological/neurodegenerative disorders and its influence on outcomes and the ability to cope with the disease. Following specified methodological criteria, a total of 13 articles were selected. The spiritual dimension should be considered a fundamental component of the quality of life and well-being of neurological patients as it can significantly influence their ability to cope with their disease.

UNASSIGNED: Literature on the association of religion and spirituality (R/S) and health is growing. However, it is unclear how R/S affects outcomes and is assessed in persons with dementia (PWDs). In this integrative review, we evaluate published R/S measures and synthesize R/S findings for PWDs.
UNASSIGNED: We searched five databases (ATLA Religion, CINAHL, PsychInfo, PubMed, SocIndex) and identified 14 of 1043 studies for review. We assess the studies\' information, quality, measures, and results.
UNASSIGNED: We identified 17 measures for R/S: six were adapted for use with PWDs and only two were validated for PWDs; most studies reported only measures\' reliability, with Cronbach\'s alpha. The studies\' findings support significant positive associations between R/S and cognitive function and negative associations between R/S and depression and behavioral expressions.
UNASSIGNED: The two validated scales indicated acceptable validity with overall good reliability. Nevertheless, diverse samples and rigorous study designs are needed to improve R/S measures and to examine associations over time for PWDs.
UNASSIGNED: Few scales for measuring religion and spirituality (R/S) have been validated in persons with dementia (PWD); additional testing is needed.Most R/S measures only reported scale reliability with Cronbach\'s alpha.Studies supported positive associations between R/S and health yet few studies exist. conducted.Only one spiritual intervention, spiritual reminiscence, was found for PWD.More rigorous R/S studies are needed to examine health outcomes in dementia.

Higher rates of depression and anxiety are reported among women who belong to racial and ethnic minority groups, contributing to adverse birth outcomes, and remains a taboo topic within the global Muslim community. Non-pharmacological coping mechanisms such as prayer may be employed to reduce perinatal depression and anxiety, however the literature is sparse on the use of this intervention among pregnant Muslim women. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a scoping review examining the use of Muslim faith practices on anxiety and depression in perinatal period. Nine studies were identified that demonstrate that Muslim faith practices reduce perinatal anxiety and depression symptoms. These studies demonstrate that prayers and other faith-based practices, including reciting parts of the Quran, saying a Dua, and listening to audio recordings of prayers are all effective in decreasing anxiety, depression, stress, pain and fear in Muslim women during pregnancy, during childbirth, during an unexpected cesarean section, and when experiencing infant loss. Despite the scoping review\'s small sample size, findings confirm that incorporation of faith practices effectively reduces perinatal depression and anxiety among Muslim women and should be utilized in clinical settings for non-pharmacological management of perinatal mood disorders.

The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has been affecting populations globally since the end of 2019. Previous studies have indicated that spirituality in these times of crisis serves as a source of hope and well-being that helps people get through the day. This study investigated the role of spirituality and religiosity in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. An integrative review of the scientific literature available on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases and a review of the gray literature in the Information System on Gray Literature in Europe (OpenGrey) were carried out. From a total of 1,338 articles searched; 25 articles were included in this review (22 quantitative observational, 2 qualitative and one randomized controlled trial). Our findings revealed the importance of including spirituality in clinical practice for both health professionals and patients. On the one hand, spirituality can be considered a good coping strategy used by healthcare professionals to promote mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting in greater patient satisfaction with the care given. On the other hand, addressing spiritual needs of individuals leads to a reduction in stress, anxiety, depression, and an increase in resilience and hope among patients.

Effects of religion, spirituality and supernatural beliefs (RSS) upon health in mainland China remain poorly understood, despite strong RSS beliefs influencing Chinese society. We conducted a Chinese-English bilingual systematic review to summarize the state of RSS-health research in mainland China. Study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool. We screened 1858 studies, 162 of which were included in the review. From 2000-2004 to 2015-2019, the number of RSS-health studies in China increased from five to 73. However, only 7% of studies were rated as higher quality. Cross-sectional and case-control studies represented the vast majority of study designs (94%) and religious affiliation was the only RSS measure for 58% of studies. Higher, moderate, and lower quality studies indicated that RSS has both beneficial and adverse health implications. RSS-health research in China has accelerated rapidly in the last 20 years, but fundamental gaps in knowledge remain. Longitudinal study designs and nuanced RSS measures are needed to advance understanding of RSS health effects in China.

Religion and spirituality have long been considered important social determinants of human health, and there exists an extensive body of research to support such. End-of-life (EOL) may raise complex questions for individuals about religious and spiritual (R/S) values guiding advance care planning (ACP) and EOL care decisions, including the provision of spiritual care. This commentary will review the history and current national trends of ACP activities for EOL, principally within the United States. It will describe the relationship of religious variables and the attributes of selected research instruments used to study religious variables on ACP and EOL preferences. The review also summarizes unique ACP challenges for patients with neurocognitive disorders and severe mental illness. Findings disclose that higher levels of religiosity, reliance on religious coping, conservative faith traditions, and \"belief in God\'s control over life\'s length and divine intervention have lower levels of ACP and more intensive EOL care preferences, although the provision of spiritual spiritual care at EOL mitigates intensive EOL care. Based upon the curated evidence, we propose an epistemological justification to consider \"faith\" as a separately defined religious variable in future ACP and EOL research. This review is relevant to geriatric psychiatrists and gerontological health care professionals, as they may be part of multidisciplinary palliative care teams; provide longitudinal care to patients with neurocognitive disorders and severe mental illness; and may provide diagnostic, emotional, and therapeutic services for patients and families who may struggle with EOL care decisions.

This systematic review set out to identify the unique perceptions and experiences of care delivery among faith community nurses (FCNs).
This review was conducted and has been reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was conducted using the following databases, Medline (OVID), EmCare for Nurses (OVID), PsycINFO (OVID), CINAHL (EBSCO), Cochrane, and PubMed. The search strategies included the use of truncations, adjacency search parameters, and Boolean operators using a range of key search terms. Predetermined eligibility criteria were applied to all studies. The review process was managed using Covidence systematic review software. Data extraction and quality assessment was conducted across all included studies. Data were analyzed using a narrative synthesis approach.
This review has made an important contribution by identifying the role that FCNs play in care delivery as trusted members of their communities who act as a conduit at the intersect of faith and health care. Irrespective of the location or faith denomination, what was common to FCNs was that they delivered care to address the physical, psychological, spiritual, congregational, communication, health system, and family-related needs of those in their care.
The nurses represented in the included studies expressed concerns that patients experienced unmet supportive care needs because of a fragmented and highly complex existing health care system. Often, FCNs provided a valuable contribution in supporting patients in their care pathways and facilitated continuity of care among people who lived with preexisting comorbidities and who had complex health care needs. Further research is needed to understand the role that faith community nursing models might have in cancer care from the perspective of patients and other members of the multidisciplinary team across different international contexts.

African Americans (AA) experience health inequalities that affect their utilization of advance care planning (ACP) and hospice and palliative care at end of life (EOL). Faith-based health promotion models may be applicable to ACP and EOL care literacy for this population. The purpose of this integrative review was to examine the literature highlighting participant responses to ACP and EOL care literacy initiatives in AA faith communities. An integrative literature review was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsychINFO. Eight primary sources met inclusion criteria. Findings from these studies indicate that integration of AA religious beliefs and practices into ACP and EOL care educational programs may enhance the efficacy of these efforts in promoting ACP, advance directive completion, and hospice use. Building trust, creating community partnerships, and involving church leadership in ACP and EOL care literacy promotion efforts serve as important elements to inform future initiatives.