Holistic Health and Spirituality: A Black woman surrounded by orbs of well-being, symbolizing the connection between mind, body, and spirit.

The Intertwined Realities of Spirituality, Health, and Well-being: Understanding Their Impact on Black Women's Health

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Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"A deep dive into how religious and spiritual coping mechanisms influence hypertension risk in Black women, enhancing preventive healthcare and well-being."


In recent years, researchers and healthcare professionals have increasingly recognized the integral role of spirituality and religion in overall health and well-being. While medical science has traditionally focused on biological and physiological aspects of health, there's a growing awareness that emotional, psychological, and spiritual factors significantly influence physical health outcomes. This broader perspective is especially crucial in understanding the health experiences of specific communities, such as Black women, where faith and spirituality often play a central role in coping and resilience.

The intersection of religious coping, spirituality, and health outcomes is particularly relevant when examining chronic conditions such as hypertension. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, disproportionately affects Black adults in the United States, with higher rates of incidence, severity, and mortality compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Given the profound impact of hypertension on cardiovascular health and overall quality of life, it's essential to explore the various factors that contribute to its development and management within the Black community.

An original study, "Religious and Spiritual Coping and Risk of Incident Hypertension in the Black Women's Health Study," investigated these complex relationships. The study examined how religious and spiritual coping mechanisms might influence the risk of developing hypertension among Black women. Recognizing the importance of this research, a corrigendum was later issued to update the affiliations of the authors M Austin Argentieri and Alexandra E. Shields, underscoring the dynamic and evolving nature of scientific inquiry and collaboration.

How Religious and Spiritual Coping Affect Hypertension Risk

Holistic Health and Spirituality: A Black woman surrounded by orbs of well-being, symbolizing the connection between mind, body, and spirit.

The study, led by Yvette C. Cozier and colleagues, including Yu, MPH Lauren A. Wise, Tyler J. VanderWeele, Tracy A. Balboni, M. Austin Argentieri, Lynn Rosenberg, Julie R. Palmer, and Alexandra E. Shields, delves into the role of religious and spiritual coping among Black women. These coping mechanisms refer to the ways individuals use their religious beliefs and spiritual practices to deal with stress, adversity, and life challenges. For many Black women, faith is not just a personal conviction but a vital resource that provides strength, comfort, and a sense of community.

Religious coping can take various forms, including prayer, meditation, attending religious services, seeking guidance from religious leaders, and finding meaning in religious texts. Spiritual coping may involve practices such as mindfulness, connecting with nature, or engaging in activities that promote a sense of inner peace and purpose. Both religious and spiritual coping strategies can influence health outcomes by affecting emotional well-being, stress levels, social support, and health behaviors.

  • Emotional Well-Being: Religious and spiritual practices often foster positive emotions such as hope, gratitude, and forgiveness, which can buffer against the negative effects of stress and depression.
  • Stress Reduction: Engaging in prayer, meditation, or worship can activate the body's relaxation response, lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.
  • Social Support: Religious communities provide a sense of belonging and mutual support, offering individuals a network of caring relationships that can help them cope with life's challenges.
  • Health Behaviors: Religious beliefs and values may influence health-related behaviors such as diet, exercise, and adherence to medical treatments.
By examining these factors, researchers aim to gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between religious coping, spirituality, and hypertension risk among Black women. This knowledge can inform the development of culturally sensitive interventions and support systems that promote cardiovascular health and overall well-being in this population.

Promoting Holistic Health and Well-being

Ultimately, the study underscores the importance of considering the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—when addressing health disparities and promoting well-being. By integrating faith-based and culturally relevant approaches into healthcare, we can empower Black women to take control of their health, reduce their risk of hypertension, and live fuller, healthier lives. The insights gained from this research can serve as a catalyst for further exploration and innovation in the field of integrative health, paving the way for a more equitable and compassionate healthcare system.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

1

How does religious coping influence hypertension risk specifically in Black women?

The influence of religious coping on hypertension risk in Black women involves several interconnected mechanisms. Religious coping strategies such as prayer, meditation, and seeking guidance from religious leaders, can foster emotional well-being, leading to reduced stress and improved cardiovascular health. Additionally, religious communities often provide strong social support networks, buffering against the negative impacts of stress and promoting healthy behaviors. These factors collectively contribute to lowering the risk of hypertension among Black women.

2

What are some key examples of religious and spiritual coping mechanisms?

Religious coping encompasses various practices, including prayer, meditation, attending religious services, seeking guidance from religious leaders, and deriving meaning from religious texts. Spiritual coping extends beyond formal religious practices, including activities like mindfulness, connecting with nature, or engaging in practices that promote inner peace and a sense of purpose. Both approaches help manage stress and adversity, promoting emotional well-being and influencing health behaviors positively.

3

What role does social support play in the relationship between religious coping and health outcomes for Black women?

Social support is a crucial component in how religious coping affects health outcomes in Black women. Religious communities offer a sense of belonging and provide a network of caring relationships. This support system helps individuals cope with life's challenges, which in turn can reduce stress levels, improve emotional well-being, and promote health-related behaviors. The communal aspect of faith provides a buffer against isolation and adversity, contributing to better cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

4

Why is it important to study the connection between spirituality, health, and well-being in the context of Black women's health?

Studying the connection between spirituality, health, and well-being is vital because faith and spirituality often play a central role in the lives of Black women, serving as significant resources for coping and resilience. Black women experience disproportionately high rates of hypertension, making it crucial to understand factors that impact their health. By examining religious and spiritual coping mechanisms, healthcare providers can develop culturally sensitive interventions that promote cardiovascular health, address health disparities, and empower Black women to lead healthier lives, integrating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—in the approach to healthcare.

5

How can the findings of studies on religious and spiritual coping inform healthcare practices for Black women?

The findings can inform healthcare practices by highlighting the importance of integrating faith-based and culturally relevant approaches into care. This can involve incorporating spiritual practices into treatment plans, encouraging social support through religious communities, and promoting health behaviors aligned with religious values. Understanding how Religious and spiritual coping influences hypertension risk can help healthcare providers create more holistic and compassionate care systems. This approach addresses the mind, body, and spirit, empowering Black women to take control of their health, reduce their risk of hypertension, and experience improved overall well-being.

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