The social determinants of health (SDOH) paradigm is the dominant framework guiding public/population health theory, research, policymaking, and action. Its core premise is that health outcomes and (in)equities are influenced by both intrapersonal medical factors and by extrapersonal nonmedical factors called SDOH. Religion/spirituality (R/S; people’s search for and response to sacred meaning and connection) is a key SDOH that can influence health outcomes and equities, but research and action on SDOH and health equity have largely ignored R/S.
This 2-year project draws on the psychology of R/S field’s expertise (in theory, measures, research, and practice) to contribute to research and action that uses the SDOH paradigm. Its aims are to (1) characterize the psychology of R/S’s conceptual and research contributions to that paradigm so far and (2) develop and implement strategies for strengthening and expanding those contributions.
These aims will be accomplished in 3 phases. Phase 1 (Landscaping) involves synthesizing the theoretical and research literature on relations between R/S and the 5 main types/domains of SDOH: economic stability, education access/quality, health care access/quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social/community context. Phase 2 (Data Gathering) involves surveys and in-depth interviews with experts in SDOH or psychology of R/S. Phase 3 (Refinement/Dissemination) involves conducting an interdisciplinary workshop to help synthesize findings and recommendations, followed by disseminating the project’s final recommendations, publications, and resources.
Overall, this initiative will yield scholarly articles and presentations, open-access datasets, and publicly available resources (reports, toolkits, etc.). Collectively, it will accelerate theory, research, and action that integrates R/S into the SDOH paradigm and will catalyze new opportunities for promoting health outcomes and equity at the intersections of R/S, science, and society.
