In an age when everyone is interconnected using the internet and social media platforms, cases of loneliness continue to grow in the United States and beyond.
Some mental health experts, including Vivek Murthy, the former U.S. surgeon general, have called loneliness and isolation an epidemic, pointing out that it can affect a person's physical and mental health and even increase morbidity.
This is what prompted Simon Howard, an assistant professor in the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology, to launch a study to investigate whether spiritual connectedness can protect people from the harmful effects of loneliness.
Fueled by a $260,000 grant from the John Templeton Foundation, the study called "Sacred Bonds: Investigating Spiritual Connectedness as a Buffer Against Loneliness" will explore whether a connection to the sacred, a sense of ultimate meaning, or participation in a community of shared belief can provide a powerful source of resilience.
"The foundation is best known for funding research on what it calls humanity's 'big questions.' Topics like religion, spirituality, human flourishing, purpose and the relationship between science and faith. The idea is to support rigorous research that helps us better understand these fundamental aspects of human life and, ultimately, generate knowledge that can improve individual and societal well-being," he said.
The study will recruit 600 participants, ages 18 to 80, nationally who will be diverse in age, gender, race and ethnicity. Participants will fill out questionnaires detailing their religious affiliation, participation in religious practices, as well as daily practices—such as prayers and meditation—that define their spirituality.
Howard said that instead of defining spirituality as a religious affiliation, the study will investigate private spiritual connectedness and communal spiritual connectedness.
"Is it the social connection that comes from belonging to a congregation that protects against loneliness, or is it a person's private relationship with God? We don't want to assume the answer; we want to test it," said Howard.
Loneliness has drawn national attention in the past few years because it can lead to depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease and premature mortality.
When discussing loneliness, many health practitioners focus on strengthening social connections, Howard said. While interventions vary, people experiencing loneliness are often encouraged to build or deepen relationships by reconnecting with others, joining community groups or expanding their social networks.
But loneliness is a multifaceted condition that refers to the subjective feeling of being disconnected as compared to social isolation, which describes the size and expanse of a person's social network.
Howard said the study's goal is to see whether spirituality buffers the effects of loneliness and who is most likely to experience it.
Some questions and statements in the questionnaire ask participants to rate the frequency of their experiences and beliefs:
Under private spirituality, (1 = many times a day; 6 = almost never)
- I find comfort in my religion or spirituality.
- I ask God for help in the midst of daily activities.
Under communal spirituality (1 = very often; 4 = never)
- How often do you take part in other religious group activities (prayer groups, study circles)?
- How often do the people in your congregation make you feel loved and cared for?
The study will also examine two types of well-being. One is life satisfaction, or how people evaluate the quality of their lives overall. The other is psychological well-being, including purpose in life, personal growth, self-acceptance, autonomy and positive relationships with others.
Howard believes the study will be helpful to health professionals, religious and community leaders and organizations. In addition to publishing the results of the study in academic journals, Howard hopes to be in conversations with educators and religious leaders to disseminate its findings. They will also hold workshops with the interested groups to discuss how the results can be implemented.
"We want to put the research into practice, so it does not stay just in an academic journal," he said.
