Aspects of Religious Life as Determinants of the Subjective Health Assessment of Religious Sisters: The Role of Prayer, Community, and Daily Practices

TL;DR

This study explores how religious community life, prayer, and daily practices influence the health and well-being of Catholic religious sisters.

Contribution

The study identifies specific aspects of religious community life that promote health-conscious behaviors and well-being among religious sisters.

Findings

Sisters who perceive their community as beneficial for health are more likely to follow a healthy lifestyle.

Retreats, communal prayers, and a sense of belonging are rated as most impactful for well-being, especially among older sisters.

Formal obligations like wearing religious attire have less impact on health compared to spiritual practices and social support.

Abstract

Introduction: Religious practices can shape lifestyles, influence health choices, and help individuals cope with illness and suffering. Understanding which aspects of religiosity support health-promoting attitudes is particularly important. This study explores how belonging to a religious community affects health and well-being among religious sisters. Materials and Methods: An anonymous survey was conducted among 463 women from international, apostolic Catholic congregations in Poland and 33 other countries. The questionnaire included questions on lifestyle, physical health (including diet, physical activity, sleep, chronic conditions, and medication use), and perceptions of how community life influences health and encourages health-conscious behaviors. Results: Overall, 57% of participants reported following a healthy lifestyle, most commonly sisters aged 65 and older (73%). Non-Polish sisters and those living outside Poland were more likely to report healthy habits. Among sisters who saw their community as beneficial for health, 69% led a healthy lifestyle. Retreats, a sense of belonging, communal prayers, and vacations were consistently rated as having the most positive impact on well-being, particularly among older sisters and missionaries. Conclusions: Life in a religious community appears to support health both directly, through structured daily routines and shared responsibilities, and indirectly, by providing social support and fostering a sense of purpose. Spiritual practices, rest, and close interpersonal relationships emerge as the most influential factors for well-being, while formal obligations such as wearing religious attire or attending formation meetings were rated as less impactful. These findings highlight the important role of communal life in promoting both physical and spiritual health among religious sisters.

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