The perception of spiritual health differences between citizens and physicians in the Czech Republic

JIRÁSEK, Ivo and Emanuel HURYCH. The perception of spiritual health differences between citizens and physicians in the Czech Republic. Health promotion international. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018, vol. 33, No 5, p. 858-866. ISSN 0957-4824. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/heapro/dax024.

Basic information

Original name

The perception of spiritual health differences between citizens and physicians in the Czech Republic

Authors

JIRÁSEK, Ivo and Emanuel HURYCH

Edition

Health promotion international, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2018, 0957-4824

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Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

URL

Impact factor

Impact factor: 1.913

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/heapro/dax024

UT WoS

000450163200013

Keywords in English

health; spirituality; public opinion; spiritual health

Tags

International impact, Reviewed

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Abstract

V originále

This paper focuses on a phenomenon known as spiritual health. Although the scientific literature defines the concept of this health component (in relation to other dimensions, i.e. physical, mental and social health), there is no agreement concerning its relation to religiousness. The aim of this research is to find out the views of citizens (n = 1810) and physicians (n = 1200) in the Czech Republic on the potential dimension of health in its spiritual mode, and on the understanding of its content by those who acknowledge its existence. One of the main research findings is that physicians in the Czech Republic acknowledge the existence of spiritual health (47.0%) to a significantly greater extent than citizens of the country (26.4%). In both groups of respondents, the understanding varies in the discourse of psychology (psychiatry), theology, in the preference for harmony, and in medical care. The acknowledgement of spiritual health depends strongly on gender (women acknowledge the existence of this phenomenon more than men), religious belief (religious physicians, as well as religious citizens and members and non-members of churches and religious societies, acknowledge the existence of spiritual health significantly more compared with atheists) and education (with increasing education the proportion of citizens who acknowledge the existence of spiritual health rises considerably-the highest proportion is found in university graduates). Spiritual health is shown to be an important public health issue, even in a strongly secularized society.