Examining the Effects of Spiritual Health on Mental and Physical Health in Trauma-Exposed Adults: A Whole-Person Health Framework

Date of Award

Summer 2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)

Committee Chair

Fabienne Royale-Larkins

Committee Member

Jesse Florang

Committee Member

Usha Palaniswamy

Abstract

Throughout history, cultures have attempted to treat mental and physical illness through spiritual interventions. Although some interventions may have been harmful and are now obsolete, spiritual health is still considered an integral yet underdeveloped dimension within whole-person health. Accreditation entities and leading health organizations recognize and support integration of spiritual health in treatment, however, there is still a risk of efforts being ineffective or misguided as uncertainty remains regarding whether and how spiritual health may relate to health outcomes. Therefore, this study examined the direct and indirect relationships between spiritual health and mental and physical health. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine whether spiritual health explained unique variance in mental and physical health after accounting for coping mechanisms and outlook on life. Mediation analyses were subsequently conducted to examine whether coping mechanisms and outlook on life served as mediators between spiritual health and health outcomes. Together, these analyses provided insight into the direct and indirect pathways through which spiritual health may relate to mental and physical health. Adults in the United States who self-reported at least one traumatic experience (n = 79) completed the Wholistic Health Assessment. Spiritual health, coping mechanisms, and outlook on life collectively explained 47% of variance in mental health, and spiritual health had an indirect relationship with mental health through coping mechanisms and outlook on life. No statistically significant relationships emerged between the regressors and physical health. These findings inform clinical and administrative decision-making regarding the integration of spiritual health in treatment within trauma-informed care.

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