Bibliography 2: #BIB38928

Key	BIB38928
Reference type	Journal Article
Title	Mental and Behavioural Responses to Bahá’í Fasting : Looking behind the Scenes of a Religiously Motivated Intermittent Fast Using a Mixed Methods Approach
Journal	Nurtrients (Basel, Swoitzerland)
Author	Ring, Raphaela M., Eisenmann, Clemens, Kandil, Farid I., Steckhan, Nico, Demmrich, Sarah, Klatte, Caroline, Kessler, Christian S., Jeitler, Michael, Boschmann, Michael, Michalsen, Andreas, Blakeslee, Sarah B., Stöckigt, Barbara, Stritter, Wiebke and Koppold-Liebscher, Daniela A.
Year	2022
Date	2022
Issue	5
Volume	14
Abstract	Historically, fasting has been practiced not only for medical but also for religious reasons. Bahá’ís follow an annual religious intermittent dry fast of 19 days. We inquired into motivation behind and subjective health impacts of Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í 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: Bahá’í 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.
Language	English
Keywords	FASTING; DIET; NUTRITION
URL	https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/5/1038/htm
Legal note	11.
File attachments	internal-pdf://2720038345/Ring_et_al - Mental_Behavioural_Responses_Baha.pdf

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