| This study presents the findings of a critical literature analysis examining the bio-psycho-social and spiritual effects of living in Christian and Buddhist intentional religious communities. The author examined the empirical research on the subject from which developed an understanding of the known individual and communal biological, psychological, social, and spiritual implications. Factors illuminated in the analysis include physiological benefits due to a decrease in psychosocial stressors, protective factors in cognitive aging, an increased level of positive emotions, the positive effect of spiritual practices, similarities in gender roles across religious discourse, the relationship between personal and spiritual identity formation, and spirituality as a factor of resilience. A family psychology perspective is provided as a framework to conceptualize and draw attention to the impact of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors that influence the bio-psycho-social and spiritual health of individuals and the community at large. |
