Another possible link between longevity and belief is related to people's mental health. Koenig suspects that the benefits of many religious activities come from believers' so-called comfort or self-experience of "feeling that life has a purpose": he found that people with religious beliefs generally suffer from depression less than others, and even if they do feel depressed, they can adjust quickly. In this sense, religion can not only play a beneficial role in spiritual comfort, but also help believers master ways to get rid of stress and anxiety, thus promoting physical health. Dr Esther Sternberg, a researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health, has published a very good new book, The Balance of Dedication. Robert Jeffrey Sternberg proves with examples in his book that only by cultivating a firm and confident emotional world, believing that one's existence is truly meaningful and having clear goals can one improve one's health and quality of life.
Robert Jeffrey Sternberg didn't get his theory of mental health from a detached environment. After all, the premise of Robert Jeffrey Sternberg's view is basically not far from that of postmodernism which is harmful to health. Many people in academic circles are quite uneasy about the example that religious belief can make people psychologically healthier, because it means that between religious belief and non-religious belief, the former is the norm that should be followed.
The relationship theory of "belief and health" has the same foundation as the "good life" movement that is emerging in the field of psychology at present. After the war, psychology and social science have been focusing on the study of dysfunction, that is, exploring what makes people alienated or become antisocial. On the contrary, the "Good Life" movement is dedicated to emphasizing what makes people noble and selfless. In this sense, the "Good Life" movement is to choose the ideal life path. Martin seligman of the University of Pennsylvania is the current president of the American Psychological Association. He is the leader of this developing discipline. Seligman said that scholars "should see more beautiful places in life."
At present, most people accept that if people are driven crazy, society will show its ferocious face. The "Good Life" movement claims that when people become selfless, the glorious side of society will shine brilliantly. But today's academic circles will only lament the ugliness of society and are unwilling to praise the virtues of the world.
Here, there is an obvious inference between the psychology of "good life" and the relationship between "belief and health". If psychology should focus on exploring the root of morality, and if mainstream sects can cultivate good morality and promote mental health, then we have a new basis for why we should take faith seriously. Because of the deep-rooted doubts about religion in the intellectual world after the war, the American Psychiatric Association still defined strong religious belief as "insanity" until 1994. Now it seems that faith can benefit mankind. This is a great change in concept. Now almost everyone thinks that doctors have the obligation to give patients some advice that is beneficial to longevity, such as not smoking. Everyone thinks that doctors can discuss personal privacy issues such as sex life with patients. So, if believing in religion can make people healthier, does this mean that doctors have the responsibility to advise people to believe in religion? Si Long of Columbia University is worried that doctors will soon make such suggestions under such pressure. Si Long retorted that although research showed a positive correlation between marriage and health, it did not lead doctors to advise their patients to go to church to get married quickly. The key to this inference is that it is useless to talk about marriage with patients, and no one can guarantee that they will find a satisfactory other half. On the other hand, recommending a religion to others is also a practical suggestion. Anyone can believe in religion, and it is much easier to attend religious ceremonies than to quit smoking.
However, Larson, a supporter of faith and health, said, "Even if research shows that religion is good for health, it doesn't mean that doctors should use it as an antibiotic. Koenig believes that this study only shows that doctors should "ask patients whether they believe in religion;" "If you believe in religion, what kind of help can the doctor give? From this point of view, we have enough research to prove this, which is indeed a good medicine in clinic. " Although meeting people's spiritual needs can benefit people a lot, doctors only practice medicine, not concurrently serving as priests.