Below are selected publications, organized by year. Versions of some publications can be freely downloaded by anyone.
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Oman, D. (2025). Reply: The PHIOMM framework for implementing mindfulness in public health, with groundwork. Mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-025-02553-4 (open access; reply to commentary on special issue target article)
Long, K. N. G., Symons, X., VanderWeele, T. J., Balboni, T. A., Rosmarin, D. H., Puchalski, C., Cutts, T., Gunderson, G. R., Idler, E., Oman, D., Balboni, M. J., Tuach, L. S., & Koh, H. K. (2024). Spirituality as a determinant of health: Emerging policies, practices, and systems. Health Affairs, 43(6), 783 – 790. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.01643 (open access)
Oman, D. (2024). What is a mantra [or holy name]? Guidance for practitioners, researchers, and editors. American Psychologist. doi: 10.1037/amp0001368 (open access) (published online 30 May, 2024; at a later time it will be incorporated into a print issue and receive final pagination)
Richards, T. A., Oman, D., DiMartino, A., & Kotwal, A. A. (2024). A technology-based intervention impacts quality of life for low-income older adults by reducing loneliness and improving healthcare self-efficacy and self-rated health. Journal of Applied Gerontology. doi: 10.1177/07334648241289928 (published online 9 October, 2024; at a later time it will be incorporated into a print issue and receive final pagination)
Oman, D. (2023). Mindfulness for global public health: Critical analysis and agenda. Mindfulness. doi: 10.1007/s12671-023-02089-5 (open access; will be target article for commentary-focused special issue for March 2025)
- Commentaries to appear in March 2025 special issue are by Levin; Knabb & Vazquez;* Sedlmeier;* Sutton;* Palitsky, Lyons & Kaplan; Wang; Henning, Lyndon et al.;* Altay & Porter;* Galante & Van Dam;* Berryman;* Sanders & Stein; Farias; Tempone-Wiltshire & Matthews; Aldbyani; Tan (*=open access); a reply* will also be published.
Oman, D. (2023[Dutch]+2024[German, French]; others to come). Hinduism and happiness. In L. Bormans (Ed.), The New World Book of Happiness. Tielt, Belgium: Lannoo Publishers [Dutch edition, published 24 Oct 2023; German edition, published in Cologne by DuMont Buchverlag GmbH & Co KG, 17 Sep 2024; French edition, published in Montreal by Éditions de l’Homme, 17 Oct 2024; English edition to come; check status at publisher website] [Worldcat: Dutch ed.; most recent by editor]
Singh, K., Raina, M., & Oman, D. (2023). Positive psychology and Hinduism. In E. B. Davis, E. L. Worthington, & S. Schnitker (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology, religion, and spirituality (pp. 195-209). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-10274-5_13 (open access)
Oman, D., Bormann, J.E., & Kane, J.J. (2022 [published online in 2020]). Mantram Repetition as a Portable Mindfulness Practice: Applications During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Mindfulness. 12(6), 1418-1429. doi: 10.1007/s12671-020-01545-w (open access)
Oman, D. (2022). Nonviolent self-efficacy for social transformation and health: Theoretical and empirical bases. In V. K. Kool, & R. Agrawal (Eds.), Gandhi’s Wisdom (pp. 71-90). Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-87491-9_4 → Book Information
Oman, D. (2021). Studying the Effects of Meditation: The First Fifty Years. In M. Farias, D. Brazier, & M. Lalljee (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Meditation (pp. 41-74). Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198808640.013.3 → Book Information
Oman, D., Plante, T. G., Boorman, E. P., & Harris, K. A. (2021). Spiritual modeling self-efficacy: A stand-alone measure. In A. L. Ai, P. M. Wink, R. F. Paloutzian, & K. A. Harris (Eds.), Assessing spirituality in a diverse world (pp. 521-552). Cham, Switzerland: Springer International. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-52140-0_21 → Book Information
Oman, D. (2020). Covid-19 and religion/spirituality: A global review from a public health perspective. Public Health, Religion and Spirituality Bulletin, 3, 10-17. ▼ view/download
Bormann, J. E., Kane, J. J., & Oman, D. (2020). Mantram repetition: A portable practice for being mindful. Mindfulness, 11(8), 2031–2033. doi:10.1007/s12671-020-01440-4 (open access)
Oman, D. & Paranjpe, A. C. (2020). Psychology of Hinduism from the Inside Out: An Indigenous Perspective. In T. A. Sisemore & J. J. Knabb (Eds.), The Psychology of World Religions and Spiritualities: An Indigenous Perspective (pp. 165-196). West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Press. → Book Info
Oman, D., Long, K., & PHRS Editorial Board (2019). Welcome to the Public Health, Religion and Spirituality Network. Public Health, Religion and Spirituality Bulletin, 1, 8-11. ▼ view/download
Oman, D. & Long, K. (2019). Spirituality and Public Health National Student Essay Contest. Public Health, Religion and Spirituality Bulletin, 1, 16-17. ▼ view/download
Long, K., & & Oman, D. (2019). Editors’ introduction to inaugural issue. Public Health, Religion and Spirituality Bulletin, 1, 2-3. ▼ view/download
Oman, D. (2019). Introduction to the Special Section: Psychology of Indian Spirituality and Religion, Emerging Perspectives. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 11(2), 87-90. doi:10.1037/rel0000256
- 3 articles plus editors’ introduction to this special section, perhaps the first special section on indigenous Indian religion/spirituality in a western psychology of religion journal → Special Section Table of Contents
Long, K. N. G., Gregg, R. J., VanderWeele, T. J., Oman, D., & Laird, L. D. (2019). Boundary Crossing: Meaningfully Engaging Religious Traditions and Religious Institutions in Public Health. Religions, 10(7), Article 412. doi:10.3390/rel10070412
Oman, D. (Ed.) (2018). Why Religion and Spirituality Matter for Public Health: Evidence, Implications, and Resources. Springer. → Book Info & Table of Contents | → Online copies [Full book or chapters] | →Preview [Google Book]
- 19 chapters in this book are lead-authored by Oman
- Review from American Academy of Religion, Reading Religion (link): “this engaging volume… is both easy to read and understand”; “The book stands out as a ground breaking masterpiece that explores the relationships between R/S and physical, emotional, and social dimensions of health that everyone interested in this subject could find worth reading.”
Oman, D., Duggal, C., & Misra, G. (2018). Introduction to the Special Issue: Spirituality and Psychology, Emerging Perspectives. Psychological Studies, 63(2), 89-94. doi:10.1007/s12646-018-0458-6 ▼ download
- 11 articles plus editors’ introduction to this special issue, perhaps the first special issue on spirituality in a mainstream Indian psychology journal → Special Issue Info & Table of Contents
Oman, D. & Bormann, J. E. (2018). Eknath Easwaran’s Mantram and Passage Meditation as Applied Indian Psychology: Psycho-Spiritual and Health Effects. Psychological Studies, 63(2), 94-108. doi:10.1007/s12646-018-0448-8 ▼ full-view
Oman, D., & Paranjpe, A. C. (2018). Indian Spirituality: How Relevant is Pargament’s Framework? Psychological Studies, 63(2), 140-152. doi:10.1007/s12646-017-0412-z ▼ full-view
Oman, D. & Singh, N. N. (2018). Combining Indian and Western Spiritual Psychology: Applications to Health and Social Renewal. Psychological Studies, 63(2), 172-180. doi: 10.1007/s12646-016-0362-x ▼ full-view
Pargament, K. I., Oman, D., Pomerleau, J., & Mahoney, A. (2017). Some Contributions of a Psychological Approach to the Study of the Sacred. Religion. 47(4), 718-744. doi:10.1080/0048721X.2017.1333205
Idler, E., Oman, D., Kiser, M., & Hogue, C. (2017). Courses in Religion and Public Health [letter]. American Journal of Public Health, 107(6), e1. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.303758
Oman, D. (2016). Indra’s Net: Defending Hinduism’s Philosophical Unity. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 19, 408-412. doi: 10.1080/13674676.2016.1189230
Oman, D. (2016). International Collaboration for Living with the Richness of Spiritual Diversity [Letter]. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 42, 373-378.
Oman, D. (2015). Cultivating Compassion Through Holistic Mindfulness: Evidence for Effective Intervention. In T. G. Plante (Ed.), The Psychology of Compassion and Cruelty: Understanding the Emotional, Spiritual, and Religious Influences (pp. 35-57). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC Clio/Praeger.
Oman, D. & Bormann, J. E. (2015). Mantram Repetition Fosters Self-Efficacy in Veterans for Managing PTSD: A Randomized Trial. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 7:34-35. doi: 10.1037/a0037994
Oman, D. (2015). A Warmer Current of Meditation Research: Beyond McMindfulness. PsycCRITIQUES, 60 (Release 7), Article 4. doi: 10.1037/a0038739 ▼ download
Bormann, J. E., Oman D., Walter K. H., & Johnson, B. D. (2014). Mindful Attention Increases and Mediates Psychological Outcomes Following Mantram Repetition Practice in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Medical Care. 52(12 (Suppl. 5)), S13-S18. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000000200
Oman, D. (2014). Building Nonviolent Self-efficacy to Foster Social Transformation and Health. Gandhi Marg, 35, 583-617. ▼ download
Oman, D. (2013). Spiritual Modeling and the Social Learning of Spirituality and Religion. In K. I. Pargament, J. J. Exline & J. W. Jones (Eds.), APA Handbook of Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality [volume 1] (pp. 187-204). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi: 10.1037/14045-010.
Oman, D. (2013). Defining Religion and Spirituality. In R. F. Paloutzian & C. L. Park (Eds.), Handbook of the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 2nd ed. (pp. 23-47). New York: Guilford.
Oman, D., Thoresen, C. E., Park, C. L., Shaver, P. R., Hood, R. W., & Plante, T. G. (2012). Spiritual Modeling Self-Efficacy. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 4(4), 278-297. doi: 10.1037/a0027941
Oman, D., & Neuhauser, L. (2012). Spiritual Factors in Occupational Health and Well-being: Opportunities for Research Translation. In P. C. Hill & B. Dik (Eds.), Psychology of Religion and Workplace Spirituality (pp. 63-85). Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.
Oman, D. (2012). Foreword. In T. G. Plante (Ed.), Religion, Spirituality, and Positive Psychology: Understanding the Psychological Fruits of Faith (pp. xv-xvii). Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.
Oman, D. (2012). Spirituality and Aging, by Robert C. Atchley [book review]. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 24(3), 270-274. doi: 10.1080/15528030.2011.563230
Oman, D. (2011). Compassionate Love: Accomplishments and Challenges in an Emerging Scientific/Spiritual Research Field. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 14(9), 945-981. doi: 10.1080/13674676.2010.541430 ▼ download
Oman, D. (2011). Spiritual Practice, Health Promotion, and the Elusive Soul: Perspectives from Public Health. Pastoral Psychology, 60(6), 897-906. doi: 10.1007/s11089-011-0359-2
Oman, D., Thoresen, C. E., & Hedberg, J. (2010). Does Passage Meditation Foster Compassionate Love Among Health Professionals?: A Randomized Trial. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 13(2), 129-154. doi: 10.1080/13674670903261954 ▼ download
Oman, D. (2010). Similarity in diversity? Four shared functions of integrative contemplative practice systems. In T. G. Plante (Ed.), Contemplative practices in action: Spirituality, meditation, and health [foreword by Huston Smith] (pp. 7-16). Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.
Flinders, T., Oman, D., Flinders, C. L., & Dreher, D. (2010). Translating spiritual ideals into daily life: The eight point program of passage meditation. In T. G. Plante (Ed.), Contemplative practices in action: Spirituality, meditation, and health [foreword by Huston Smith] (pp. 35-59). Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.
Oman, D. (2010). Meditation can boost workplace spirituality, patient healing. Vision [National Association of Catholic Chaplains], 20(6), np (http://www.nacc.org/vision/Nov_Dec_2010/ru.asp).
Oman, D., Thoresen, C. E., Park, C. L., Shaver, P. R., Hood, R. W., & Plante, T. G. (2009). How Does One Become Spiritual? The Spiritual Modeling Inventory of Life Environments (SMILE). Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 12(5), 427-456. doi: 10.1080/13674670902758257 (see also erratum) ▼ download
Oman, D., & Thoresen, C. E. (2009). The healing power of spiritual models. In J. H. Ellens (Ed.), The healing power of spirituality (Vol. 1, pp. 144-161). Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.
Oman, D. (2009). Unique and Common Facets of Religion and Spirituality: Both are Important. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 21(4), 275-286. doi: 10.1080/15528030902862471
Flinders, T., Oman, D., & Flinders, C. L. (2009). Meditation as Empowerment for Healing. In J. H. Ellens (Ed.), The healing power of spirituality [Volume 1] (Vol. 1, pp. 213-240). Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.
Bormann, J. E., & Oman, D. (2009). Mantram or Holy Name Repetition: Healing Power of a Portable Spiritual Practice. In J. H. Ellens (Ed.), The healing power of spirituality [Volume 1] (Vol. 1, pp. 83-104). Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger.
Oman, D., Shapiro, S. L., Thoresen, C. E., Plante, T. G., & Flinders, T. (2008). Meditation Lowers Stress and Supports Forgiveness among College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of American College Health, 56(5), 569-578. doi: 10.3200/JACH.56.5.569-578 ▼ download (external)
Oman, D., Richards, T. A., Hedberg, J., & Thoresen, C. E. (2008). Passage Meditation Improves Caregiving Self-Efficacy Among Health Professionals: A Randomized Trial and Qualitative Assessment. Journal of Health Psychology, 13(8), 1119-1135. doi: 10.1177/1359105308095966
Oman, D., Flinders, T., & Thoresen, C. E. (2008). Integrating Spiritual Modeling into Education: A College Course for Stress Management and Spiritual Growth. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 18(2), 79-107. doi: 10.1080/10508610701879316
Oman, D. (2008). Interpreting Health Effects from Rosaries [Letter]. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(6), 620. doi: 10.1089/acm.2008.0137
Shapiro, S. L., Oman, D., Thoresen, C. E., Plante, T. G., & Flinders, T. (2008). Cultivating Mindfulness: Effects on Well-Being. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64(7), 840-862. doi: 10.1002/jclp.20491 ▼ download (external)
Oman, D., & Thoresen, C. E. (2007). Does Religion Cause Health? In A. Eisen & G. Laderman (Eds.), Science, religion, and society: An encyclopedia of history, culture, and controversy (Vol. 2, pp. 685-695). Armonk, NY: ME Sharpe.
Oman, D., Shapiro, S. L., Thoresen, C. E., Flinders, T., Driskill, J. D., & Plante, T. G. (2007). Learning from Spiritual Models and Meditation: A Randomized Evaluation of a College Course. Pastoral Psychology, 55(4), 473-493. doi: 10.1007/s11089-006-0062-x ▼ download (external)
Oman, D., & Thoresen, C. E. (2007). How Does One Learn to be Spiritual? The Neglected Role of Spiritual Modeling in Health. In T. G. Plante & C. E. Thoresen (Eds.), Spirit, Science and Health: How the Spiritual Mind Fuels Physical Wellness (pp. 39-54). Westport, CT: Praeger.
Oman, D. (2007). Does Volunteering Foster Physical Health and Longevity? In S. G. Post (Ed.), Altruism and Health: Perspectives from Empirical Research (pp. 15-32). New York: Oxford University Press.
Flinders, T., Oman, D., & Flinders, C. L. (2007). The Eight-Point Program of Passage Meditation: Health Effects of A Comprehensive Program. In T. G. Plante & C. E. Thoresen (Eds.), Spirit, Science and Health: How the Spiritual Mind Fuels Physical Wellness (pp. 72-93). Westport, CT: Praeger.
Bormann, J. E., & Oman, D. (2007). Mantram or Holy Name Repetition: Health Benefits from a Portable Spiritual Practice. In T. G. Plante & C. E. Thoresen (Eds.), Spirit, Science and Health: How the Spiritual Mind Fuels Physical Wellness (pp. 94-112). Westport, CT: Praeger.
Richards, T. A., Oman, D., Hedberg, J., Thoresen, C. E., & Bowden, J. (2006). A Qualitative Examination of a Spiritually-Based Intervention and Self-Management in the Workplace. Nursing Science Quarterly, 19(3), 231-239. doi: 10.1177/0894318406289490 ▼ download (external)
Oman, D., & Thoresen, C. E. (2006). Religion, Spirituality, and Children’s Physical Health. In E. C. Roehlkepartain, P. E. King, L. Wagener & P. L. Benson (Eds.), The Handbook of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence (pp. 399-415). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Oman, D., Hedberg, J., & Thoresen, C. E. (2006). Passage Meditation Reduces Perceived Stress in Health Professionals: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(4), 714-719. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.74.4.714
Meneses, L. M., Orrell-Valente, J. K., Guendelman, S. R., Oman, D., & Irwin, C. E., Jr. (2006). Racial/Ethnic Differences in Mother-daughter Communication About Sex. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39(1), 128-131. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.08.005
Guendelman, S., Wier, M., Angulo, V., & Oman, D. (2006). The Effects of Child-Only Insurance Coverage and Family Coverage on Health Care Access and Use: Recent findings among low-income children in California. Health Services Research, 41(1), 125-147. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2005.00460.x
Bormann, J. E., Oman, D., Kemppainen, J. K., Becker, S., Gershwin, M., & Kelly, A. (2006). Mantram repetition for stress management in veterans and employees: A critical incident study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 53(5), 502-512. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03752.x
Thoresen, C. E., Oman, D., & Harris, A. H. S. (2005). The Effects of Religious Practices: A Focus on Health. In W. R. Miller & H. D. Delaney (Eds.), Judeo-Christian Perspectives on Psychology: Human Nature, Motivation, and Change (pp. 205-226). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi: 10.1037/10859-011
Oman, D., & Thoresen, C. E. (2005). Do Religion and Spirituality Influence Health? In R. F. Paloutzian & C. L. Park (Eds.), Handbook of the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (pp. 435-459). New York: Guilford.
Guendelman, S., Angulo, V., Wier, M., & Oman, D. (2005). Overcoming the Odds: Access to Care for Immigrant Children in Working Poor Families in California. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 9(4), 351-362. doi: 10.1007/s10995-005-0018-2
Guendelman, S., Angulo, V., & Oman, D. (2005). Access to Health Care for Children and Adolescents in Working Poor Families: Recent Findings From California. Medical Care, 43(1), 68-78.
Rugulies, R., Braff, J., Frank, J. W., Aust, B., Gillen, M., Yen, I. H., . . . Blanc, P. (2004). The psychosocial work environment and musculoskeletal disorders: Design of a comprehensive interviewer-administered questionnaire. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 45(5), 428-439. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20009
Oman, D., & Thoresen, C. E. (2003). The Many Frontiers of Spiritual Modeling. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 13(3), 197-213. doi: 10.1207/S15327582IJPR1303_04
Oman, D., & Thoresen, C. E. (2003). Without Spirituality does Critical Psychology Risk Fostering Cultural Iatrogenesis? Journal of Health Psychology, 8(2), 223-229. doi: 10.1177/1359105303008002664
Oman, D., & Thoresen, C. E. (2003). Spiritual Modeling: A Key to Spiritual and Religious Growth? The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 13(3), 149-165. doi: 10.1207/S15327582IJPR1303_01
Oman, D., Hedberg, J., Downs, D., & Parsons, D. (2003). A Transcultural Spiritually-Based Program to Enhance Caregiving Self-Efficacy: A Pilot Study. Complementary Health Practice Review, 8(3), 201-224. doi: 10.1177/1076167503250796
Oman, D., & Driskill, J. D. (2003). Holy Name Repetition as a Spiritual Exercise and Therapeutic Technique. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 22(1), 5-19.
Oman, D., & Thoresen, C. E. (2002). “Does Religion Cause Health?”: Differing Interpretations and Diverse Meanings. Journal of Health Psychology, 7(4), 365-380. doi: 10.1177/1359105302007004326
Oman, D., & Myers, D. (2002). Ghaffar Khan: A Muslim Advocate of Nonviolence. Clio’s Psyche, 9(3), 138-140. ▼ download
Oman, D., Kurata, J. H., Strawbridge, W. J., & Cohen, R. D. (2002). Religious Attendance and Cause of Death Over 31 Years. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 32(1), 69-89. doi: 10.2190/RJY7-CRR1-HCW5-XVEG
Thoresen, C. E., Harris, A. H. S., & Oman, D. (2001). Spirituality, Religion, and Health: Evidence, Issues, and Concerns. In T. G. Plante & A. C. Sherman (Eds.), Faith and Health (pp. 15-52). New York: Guilford.
Ralph, N. B., Oman, D., & Forney, W. (2001). Treatment Outcomes with Low Income Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit. Children and Youth Services Review., 23(2), 145-167. doi: 10.1016/S0190-7409(01)00131-1
Oman, D., & Thoresen, C. E. (2000). Role of Volunteering in Health and Happiness. Career Planning and Adult Development Journal, 15(4), 59-70.
Oman, D., Thoresen, C. E., & McMahon, K. (1999). Volunteerism and Mortality among the Community-Dwelling Elderly. Journal of Health Psychology, 4(3), 301-316. doi: 10.1177/135910539900400301
Oman, D., & Thoresen, C. (1999). Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Disease Mortality [Letter]. American Journal of Public Health, 89(9), 1441. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.89.9.1441
Oman, D., & Reed, D. (1998). Religion and Mortality Among the Community-Dwelling Elderly. American Journal of Public Health, 88(10), 1469-1475. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.88.10.1469
Oman, D. (1998). Untitled [Letter in response to: Mallows, C (1998), the Zeroth Problem, American Statistician, 52, 1-9]. American Statistician, 52, 370-371.
Fenster, L., Katz, D. F., Wyrobek, A. J., Pieper, C., Rempel, D. M., Oman, D., & Swan, S. H. (1997). Effects of psychological stress on human semen quality. Journal of Andrology, 18(2), 194-202. doi: 10.1002/j.1939-4640.1997.tb01900.x