Nonreligious Spirituality, Mental Health, and Well-Being

There have been significant changes in the American religious/spiritual (R/S) landscape in recent years, with fewer than half of all Americans reporting church membership. Nonreligious Spirituality (NRS) describes spiritual beliefs, experiences, and practices that emphasize spirituality apart from religion, and serves as an alternative for many individuals to engage in R/S beliefs and practices outside of traditional religions. It is unclear if NRS provides individuals with similar mental health benefits when compared to traditional religious beliefs and practices, or whether there might be important differences. The present study examined the relationships between NRS and mental health symptoms, emotional well-being, and meaning in life. Participants were compared across three groups: (a) Spiritual-but-not-religious individuals, (b) traditionally religious individuals, and (c) individuals who identify as neither religious nor spiritual. The overall results suggested that individuals who identify with NRS showed relatively few differences compared to traditionally religious individuals. Whereas NRS was associated with some positive outcomes, including emotional well-being and meaning in life, it was also related to some negative outcomes such as higher rates of depression. Limitations, suggestions for future research, and practical implications are discussed.