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Neuropeptide Y and religious commitment in healthy young women

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DOI

The present study explores the relationship between neuroactive hormones and religious commitment. We hypothesised that religious commitment is mediated by neuropeptide Y and oxytocin. These neurohormones have a well-established role in general well-being, anxiety regulation, stress-resilience, social affiliation and spirituality.Methods Sixty healthy women (median age 21) participated in the study and completed the Religious Commitment Inventory and other psychometric surveys. Blood was sampled from each participant and serum levels of neuropeptide Y were measured using radioimmunoassay. Oxytocin, stress and sex hormones were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlations were tested using non-parametric statistical methods.Results We found a positive correlation between serum neuropeptide Y levels and religious commitment, but not between oxytocin and religious commitment.Conclusions The present study provides preliminary evidence that neuropeptide Y is a biological correlate of religious commitment.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Neuropsychiatrica
Volume31
Issue2
Pages (from-to)106-112
Number of pages7
ISSN0924-2708
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

    Research areas

  • oxytocin, religion, sneuropeptide Y

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