Religion, Spirituality, And Psychology
35 researchers across 9 institutions
This research area investigates the complex interplay between religious and spiritual beliefs and psychological well-being. Scholars examine how faith traditions, spiritual practices, and existential questions shape individual and group behavior, cognitive processes, and emotional states. Research employs diverse methodologies, including qualitative interviews, quantitative surveys, experimental designs, and ethnographic observation, to explore topics such as religious coping, the psychology of belief formation, interfaith relations, the impact of spirituality on mental health outcomes, and the development of religious identity across the lifespan.
The application of this research holds particular relevance for Arkansas. Understanding the diverse religious landscape of the state informs approaches to public health initiatives, mental health service delivery, and community resilience. Research in this area can contribute to developing culturally sensitive interventions for individuals and families facing challenges, supporting faith-based organizations in their community outreach, and fostering dialogue and understanding among diverse religious groups within Arkansas.
Work in religion, spirituality, and psychology is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing on insights from social psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, and clinical psychology. This vibrant field involves researchers across multiple Arkansas institutions, fostering a broad engagement with fundamental questions about human experience and its relationship to the sacred.
Top Researchers
| Name | Institution | h-index | Citations | Career Stage | Badges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David W. Kim | University of Central Arkansas | 28 | 2,205 | Faculty | High Impact |
| Catherine E. O’Brien | UAMS | 15 | 567 | Faculty | |
| W. Paul Williamson | Henderson State University | 12 | 666 | Faculty | |
| Keneshia Bryant | UAMS | 9 | 219 | ||
| Joel Gordon | University of Arkansas | 9 | 589 | High Impact | |
| Avinash Thombre | UA Little Rock | 8 | 271 | ||
| Gerald W. C. Driskill | UA Little Rock | 7 | 259 | ||
| Aaron T. McLaughlin | University of Central Arkansas | 6 | 104 | Faculty | |
| Patricia Walls | Arkansas State University | 5 | 99 | ||
| Megan R. Turk | University of Arkansas | 5 | 197 | ||
| Gleaves Whitney | Ouachita Baptist University | 5 | 96 | ||
| Brittany Romanello | University of Arkansas | 4 | 56 | ||
| J. Scott Duvall | Ouachita Baptist University | 4 | 118 | ||
| Aneeq Ahmad | Henderson State University | 3 | 118 | Faculty | |
| Stephanie G. Gotay | Arkansas State University | 3 | 22 | ||
| Andrew Amstutz | UA Little Rock | 3 | 60 | ||
| Freddy Cristóbal Domínguez | University of Arkansas | 3 | 50 | ||
| Dale W. Manor | Harding University Main Campus | 2 | 75 | Faculty | |
| Barclay Key | UA Little Rock | 1 | 4 | Faculty | |
| Lora Walsh | University of Arkansas | 1 | 5 |
Related Research Areas
Strategic Outlook
Global signals from OpenAlex for this research area: where the field is growing, how concentrated leadership is, and where Arkansas sits relative to the world's top-100 institutions. Descriptive only — surfaced as input to the conversation about where to place bets, not a recommendation. Signal confidence: LOW
Top US institutions in this area
- 1 University of Michigan 859
- 2 Baylor University 764
- 3 Duke University 749
- 4 Harvard University 701
- 5 Duke Medical Center 576
Cross-Institution Connections
Researchers at different institutions with overlapping expertise in Religion, Spirituality, And Psychology.