Evolutionary explanations for associations between religiosity and mental health Seth Dornisch

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dornisch, Seth, author.

Series:

Cambridge elements. Elements in applied evolutionary science

Cambridge elements. Elements in applied evolutionary science 2752-9428

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mental health--Religious aspects.

Mental health.

Evolutionary psychology.

Religion and culture.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Cambridge Cambridge University Press 2026

Summary:

"This Element examines the relationship between mental health and religiosity from an evolutionary perspective. Drawing on psychology, anthropology, and health science, it explores the origins of religiosity and the cultural evolution of religious traditions to identify how religious beliefs, behaviors, and affiliations have influenced human psychosocial functioning over time. First, it defines the concepts of mental health and religiosity and then summarizes research on contemporary associations between them. This synthesis highlights the multidimensionality of each construct and the variability in their association across individuals and cultural contexts. Building on theory, the Element introduces a novel multilevel framework to explain how religiosity and mental health have interacted differently across evolutionary, cultural, and personal timescales. It concludes by considering applications of this evolutionary science, proposing that individuals who understand how religiosity and mental health are associated can more intentionally cultivate personal forms of religiosity that benefit, rather than hinder, well-being"-- Provided by publisher

Contents:

What is mental health?

How can evolutionary science advance the study of mental health?

What is religiosity?

How can evolutionary science help to understand religion and religiosity?

Does religiosity influence the mental health of contemporary humans?

How do evolutionary perspectives help to explain these associations?

How can we apply an evolutionary science of religion and mental health to support positive psychosocial outcomes?

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references

Online resource; title from PDF title page (Cambridge Core, viewed August 26, 2026)

Other Format:

Print version Dornisch, Seth Evolutionary explanations for associations between religiosity and mental health

ISBN:

9781009743617

1009743619

OCLC:

1605200767

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license