Use of Causal Language in Studies on the Relationship between Spiritually-Based Treatments and Substance Abuse and Relapse Prevention

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorSánchez Iglesias, Iván
dc.contributor.authorGonzález-Castaño, Marta
dc.contributor.authorMolina Fernández, Antonio Jesús
dc.date.accessioned2024-02-08T09:42:37Z
dc.date.available2024-02-08T09:42:37Z
dc.date.issued2021-12-03
dc.description.abstractThe main goal of scientific research is to explain what causes a phenomenon. However, only well-controlled studies guarantee sufficient internal validity to support causal explanations (i.e., experimental and some quasi-experimental designs). The use of causal claims in non-experimental studies can mislead readers into assuming a cause–effect relationship when alternative explanations have not been ruled out, undermining the principle of scientific rigor and the credibility of scientific findings. Although spiritual practices form part of some interventions for health and behavioral problems, their effectiveness cannot often be assessed via experimental methodology. This paper assesses the validity of causal inferences in published non-experimental studies, and more specifically in studies on the relationship between spiritually based treatments and substance abuse improvement and relapse prevention. We conducted a systematic review using Scopus, Pubmed, and several databases included in ProQuest, for the period 2015 to 2020. Out of 16 studies selected, six studies (37.5%) used correct language in the title, abstract, and discussion sections; 10 studies (68.8%) used tendentious or incorrect language in at least one section. Spiritually based treatments show promising results in some health improvement outcomes. Most studies show transparency when reporting results. However, researchers should be careful not to make causal assertions unless the internal validity of the research is sound.
dc.description.departmentDepto. de Psicología Social, del Trabajo y Diferencial
dc.description.facultyFac. de Psicología
dc.description.refereedTRUE
dc.description.statuspub
dc.identifier.citationSánchez-Iglesias, Iván, Marta González-Castaño, and Antonio J. Molina. 2021. Use of Causal Language in Studies on the Relationship between Spiritually-Based Treatments and Substance Abuse and Relapse Prevention. Religions 12: 1075.
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.3390/rel12121075
dc.identifier.issn2077-1444
dc.identifier.officialurlhttps://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/12/1075
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/100261
dc.issue.number12
dc.journal.titleReligions
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherMDPI
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalen
dc.rights.accessRightsopen access
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.subject.keywordCasual language
dc.subject.keywordScientific writing
dc.subject.keywordCausality
dc.subject.keywordSpiritually based treatment
dc.subject.keywordSubstance abuse
dc.subject.ucmCiencias Biomédicas
dc.subject.ucmCiencias Sociales
dc.subject.unesco61 Psicología
dc.titleUse of Causal Language in Studies on the Relationship between Spiritually-Based Treatments and Substance Abuse and Relapse Prevention
dc.typejournal article
dc.type.hasVersionVoR
dc.volume.number12
dspace.entity.typePublication
relation.isAuthorOfPublication935a980a-9de6-4a76-9ca9-b37d60e3d7ff
relation.isAuthorOfPublication809ea30e-610a-4c67-9ae3-6fee781ecf4a
relation.isAuthorOfPublication.latestForDiscovery935a980a-9de6-4a76-9ca9-b37d60e3d7ff
Download
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
religions-12-01075.pdf
Size:
770.75 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
downoload Download
Collections
Artículos