dc.contributor.author
Ring, Raphaela M.
dc.contributor.author
Eisenmann, Clemens
dc.contributor.author
Kandil, Farid I.
dc.contributor.author
Steckhan, Nico
dc.contributor.author
Demmrich, Sarah
dc.contributor.author
Klatte, Caroline
dc.contributor.author
Kessler, Christian S.
dc.contributor.author
Jeitler, Michael
dc.contributor.author
Boschmann, Michael
dc.contributor.author
Michalsen, Andreas
dc.contributor.author
Blakeslee, Sarah B.
dc.contributor.author
Stöckigt, Barbara
dc.contributor.author
Stritter, Wiebke
dc.contributor.author
Koppold-Liebscher, Daniela A.
dc.date.accessioned
2023-03-24T12:47:02Z
dc.date.available
2023-03-24T12:47:02Z
dc.identifier.uri
https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/handle/fub188/38555
dc.identifier.uri
http://dx.doi.org/10.17169/refubium-38271
dc.description.abstract
Background/Objective: Historically, fasting has been practiced not only for medical but also for religious reasons. Baha'is follow an annual religious intermittent dry fast of 19 days. We inquired into motivation behind and subjective health impacts of Baha'i fasting.
Methods: A convergent parallel mixed methods design was embedded in a clinical single arm observational study. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted before (n = 7), during (n = 8), and after fasting (n = 8). Three months after the fasting period, two focus group interviews were conducted (n = 5/n = 3). A total of 146 Baha'i volunteers answered an online survey at five time points before, during, and after fasting.
Results: Fasting was found to play a central role for the religiosity of interviewees, implying changes in daily structures, spending time alone, engaging in religious practices, and experiencing social belonging. Results show an increase in mindfulness and well-being, which were accompanied by behavioural changes and experiences of self-efficacy and inner freedom. Survey scores point to an increase in mindfulness and well-being during fasting, while stress, anxiety, and fatigue decreased. Mindfulness remained elevated even three months after the fast.
Conclusion: Baha'i fasting seems to enhance participants' mindfulness and well-being, lowering stress levels and reducing fatigue. Some of these effects lasted more than three months after fasting.
en
dc.rights.uri
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subject
intermittent food restriction
en
dc.subject
self-efficacy
en
dc.subject
mixed methods
en
dc.subject
health behaviour
en
dc.subject
coping ability
en
dc.subject
religiously motivated dry fasting
en
dc.subject.ddc
600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften::610 Medizin und Gesundheit::610 Medizin und Gesundheit
dc.title
Mental and Behavioural Responses to Bahá’í Fasting: Looking behind the Scenes of a Religiously Motivated Intermittent Fast Using a Mixed Methods Approach
dc.type
Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.articlenumber
1038
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.doi
10.3390/nu14051038
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.journaltitle
Nutrients
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.number
5
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.originalpublishername
MDPI
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.volume
14
refubium.affiliation
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
refubium.resourceType.isindependentpub
no
dcterms.accessRights.openaire
open access
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.pmid
35268012
dcterms.isPartOf.eissn
2072-6643