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Biomedical subjects

Harold G Koenig

Publications and source records attributed to Harold G Koenig.

46 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Rowe and Kahn's model of successful aging revisited: positive spirituality--the forgotten factor.

PURPOSE: We explain a new concept, positive spirituality, and offer evidence that links positive spirituality with health; describe effective partnerships between health professionals and religious communities; and summarize the information as a basis for strengthening the existing successful aging model proposed by Rowe and Kahn. DESIGN AND METHODS: A missing component to Rowe and Kahn's three-factor model of successful aging is identified, and we propose strengthening the model with a fourth factor, positive spirituality. RESULTS: We developed an enhanced model of successful aging based on Rowe and Kahn's theoretical framework. Evidence presented suggests that the addition of spirituality to interventions focused on health promotion has been received positively by older adults. IMPLICATIONS: Leaders in gerontology often fail to incorporate the growing body of scientific evidence regarding health, aging, and spirituality into their conceptual models to promote successful aging. The proposed enhancement of Rowe and Kahn's model will help health professionals, religious organizations, and governmental agencies work collaboratively to promote wellness among older adults.

Aged↗

Mental health issues among clergy and other religious professionals: a review of research.

The authors reviewed the literature on mental health issues among clergy and other religious professionals, using electronic searches of databases of medical (Medline), nursing (CINAHL), psychology (PsycINFO), religious (ATLA), and sociological research (Sociofile). The existing research indicates the Protestant clergy report higher levels of occupational stress than Catholic priests, brothers, or sisters. Catholic sisters repeatedly reported the lowest work-related stress, whereas women rabbis reported the highest stress levels in various studies. Occupational stress appears to be a source of family stress among Protestant clergy--a factor which clergy and their spouses believe the denominational leadership should address. High levels of stress also have been found to be associated with sexual misconduct among clergy. The authors make several recommendations based on these and other findings they report in their review.

Burnout, Professional↗

Crossing the secular divide: government and faith-based organizations as partners in health.

Recent debate over the relationship between government and faith-based organizations has renewed interest in the opportunities and challenges that are associated with change in this area of health care policy. Experience exists already that faith-based organizations can provide effective health education and services in the community. Limited infrastructure and liability are among the important barriers to their expansion. Spurred by the demographics of an aging population and increasing health care costs, we argue the necessity of further partnering, within well-defined limits, to maximize the availability of health care education and services throughout this nation.

Cooperative Behavior↗

Music, imagery, touch, and prayer as adjuncts to interventional cardiac care: the Monitoring and Actualisation of Noetic Trainings (MANTRA) II randomised study.

BACKGROUND: Data from a pilot study suggested that noetic therapies-healing practices that are not mediated by tangible elements-can reduce preprocedural distress and might affect outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. We undertook a multicentre, prospective trial of two such practices: intercessory prayer and music, imagery, and touch (MIT) therapy. METHODS: 748 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention or elective catheterisation in nine USA centres were assigned in a 2x2 factorial randomisation either off-site prayer by established congregations of various religions or no off-site prayer (double-blinded) and MIT therapy or none (unmasked). The primary endpoint was combined in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events and 6-month readmission or death. Prespecified secondary endpoints were 6-month major adverse cardiovascular events, 6 month death or readmission, and 6-month mortality. FINDINGS: 371 patients were assigned prayer and 377 no prayer; 374 were assigned MIT therapy and 374 no MIT therapy. The factorial distribution was: standard care only, 192; prayer only, 182; MIT therapy only, 185; and both prayer and MIT therapy, 189. No significant difference was found for the primary composite endpoint in any treatment comparison. Mortality at 6 months was lower with MIT therapy than with no MIT therapy (hazard ratio 0.35 (95% CI 0.15-0.82, p=0.016). INTERPRETATION: Neither masked prayer nor MIT therapy significantly improved clinical outcome after elective catheterisation or percutaneous coronary intervention.

Aged↗

Correlations between preprocedure mood and clinical outcome in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty.

We studied the relationship between mood and mood shift immediately before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and 3 end points: total ischemic burden during PCI, adverse cardiac end points (ACE) after PCI, and death by 6-month follow up. Patients (n = 119) with unstable angina or myocardial infarction completed a visual analog scale (VAS) twice before PCI; before and after a session of stress relaxation, imagery, or touch; or approximately 30 minutes apart for patients assigned to prayer or to standard care. VAS included happiness, satisfaction, calm, hope, worry, shortness of breath, fear, and sadness. We observed a significant correlation between higher hope score before PCI and lower ischemic burden. Patients who experienced ACE had significantly lower hope and happiness scores than those who did not. Patients who survived to 6 months had significantly greater increases in worry and in hope. Our data suggest correlations between simple mood assessments before PCI and clinical outcomes during and after the procedure. More study is needed to understand whether attempts to alter patient mood can affect clinical outcomes.

Aged↗

Congregational health ministries: a national study of pastors' views.

OBJECTIVES: Since the 1980s, there has been a growing, but little studied, movement that organizes church-based health services under the direction of a coordinator, usually a registered nurse. These Congregational Health Ministries (CHMs) emphasize health promotion and disease prevention. We compared the perceptions of pastors with and without organized CHMs and the characteristics of their congregations' health ministries. DESIGN: We used a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design. SAMPLE: We surveyed a national multidenominational sample of 349 pastors representing over 80 Christian denominations. RESULTS: With limited resources, CHMs provide significant health promotion, disease prevention, and support services. Pastors with CHMs were significantly more involved in health promotion and disease prevention activities. Pastors without CHMs perceived a need for congregations to be involved in health-related services and were willing to become involved if they have adequate resources. CONCLUSIONS: Because of long-term trusting relationships that exist between congregants and those who minister to them, religious congregations may be ideally suited to provide cost-effective, community-based health promotion and disease prevention services as well as health-supporting services to community-dwelling elderly and persons with chronic illnesses.

Adult↗

Comparison of major and minor depression in older medical inpatients with chronic heart and pulmonary disease.

Depressed medical inpatients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and/or chronic pulmonary disease (CPD) were examined to determine characteristics distinguishing major depression (N=413) from minor depression (N=587). Consecutively admitted patients age 50 or over were screened for depressive disorder with the Structured Clinical Interview for Depression (SCID-IV). CHF/CPD patients with major depression differed from those with minor depression not only on number and severity of depressive symptoms but also on race/ethnicity, comorbid psychiatric illnesses, dyspnea, life stressors, social support, and previous antidepressant therapy. CHF/CPD patients with major and minor depression have distinct psychosocial and physical characteristics that distinguish one from another.

Adaptation, Psychological↗