nxiety is a universal term which refers to different symptoms characterizing diverse anxiety disorders, for example panic disorder (e.g., suddenly feeling fearful for no reason), social phobia (e.g., fear of social or performance situations), or generalized anxiety (e.g., excessive and uncontrollable worry, irritability). Heterogeneity in anxiety symptoms and disorders is presented in the literature, the immense majority of which includes multiple measures of individual anxiety symptoms, such as “irritability” or “feelings of panic” (Freeman EW,2008 ;Kuh DL,1997), making it complex to evaluate studies and draw conclusions. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms in midlife women is considerable with estimates as elevated as 51% of women 40-55 years
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Definitions of these terms differ for different groups and in different periods (Pargament 1999; Zinnbauer et al. 1997). In present health research, the term religion is usually employed to refer to the beliefs and practices associated with affiliation with a formal religious organization such as a church, synagogue, or mosque (Thoresen 1999). In contrast, “spirituality is concerned with the transcendent, addressing ultimate questions about life’s meaning, with the assumption that there is more to life than what we see or fully understand” (Fetzer Institute/NIA Working Group, 1999, 2). The spirituality of many people is rooted in and grows out of their religious beliefs and practices (Zinnbauer et al. 1997). For others, and perhaps a growing number in the Baby Boom generation (Wuthnow 1998), the link between religion and spirituality is weaker. For some, religious institutions or authority may be experienced as a barrier to spiritual development (Zinnbauer et al. 1997). While there are important distinctions to be made between religion and spirituality, up to now, essentially all health-related research has focused on religion rather than spirituality (Levin 1996; Miller and Thoresen 2003). Thus, in this dissertation I generally employ the term religion, or religious involvement (RI), when referring to the existing research about religion and health. I use the term religion/spirituality (R/S) when a more inclusive term is indicated (Thoresen and Harris
Definitions of these terms differ for different groups and in different periods (Pargament 1999; Zinnbauer et al. 1997). In present health research, the term religion is usually employed to refer to the beliefs and practices associated with affiliation with a formal religious organization such as a church, synagogue, or mosque (Thoresen 1999). In contrast, “spirituality is concerned with the transcendent, addressing ultimate questions about life’s meaning, with the assumption that there is more to life than what we see or fully understand” (Fetzer Institute/NIA Working Group, 1999, 2). The spirituality of many people is rooted in and grows out of their religious beliefs and practices (Zinnbauer et al. 1997). For others, and perhaps a growing number in the Baby Boom generation (Wuthnow 1998), the link between religion and spirituality is weaker. For some, religious institutions or authority may be experienced as a barrier to spiritual development (Zinnbauer et al. 1997). While there are important distinctions to be made between religion and spirituality, up to now, essentially all health-related research has focused on religion rather than spirituality (Levin 1996; Miller and Thoresen 2003). Thus, in this dissertation I generally employ the term religion, or religious involvement (RI), when referring to the existing research about religion and health. I use the term religion/spirituality (R/S) when a more inclusive term is indicated (Thoresen and Harris