Providing thorough coverage of a field that has grown dramatically in recent decades, this two-volume reference explores why people are spiritual, the effects of spirituality on mental health, and the specifics of various religious groups. Context, theory, and research are addressed in volume 1, and an applied psychology of religion and spirituality in volume 2. The first volume contains 41 contributions arranged in sections on themes, contexts, measures, and methodology; explanatory models for why people are religious and spiritual; expressions and experiences of people who are religious; and specific populations (e.g. children and adolescents, older people, gays and lesbians, and the various ethnic groups and religious in the US). The second volume comprises 34 contributions on the applied psychology of religion and spirituality, connections to the major orientations to change, applications to specific problems and contexts, and future directions. Editor Pargament (clinical psychology, Bowling Green State U.; and Institute for Spirituality and Health) was assisted by two associate editors for each volume. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)