Arjan W. Braam, M.D., Ph.D. - Duke Center for Spirituality, Theology ...

Arjan W. Braam, M.D., Ph.D.
Address: Altrecht Mental Health Care, Crisisdienst Utrecht
VU medical centre Amsterdam, EMGO+, LASA
Lange Nieuwstraat 119
3512 PG UTRECHT
The Netherlands
Phone +31-30-2308614 (secr.)
Fax +31-30-2308666
a.braam@vumc.nl
a.braam@altrecht.nl
Arjan Braam (1969), psychiatrist, is based in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and is active in the department
of emergency psychiatry and chief instructor of the education program for residents in psychiatry for
Altrecht, a large Mental Health Care organization in the region.
Furthermore, he is a senior researcher in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA,
www.lasa-vu.nl/index.htm ), with a focus on religion and mental health. LASA is carried out in the
VU University and VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
With a Protestant father and a Roman Catholic mother, he is at home in the main religious traditions
in the Netherlands, which is currently a rapidly secularizing country, but with a considerable public
interest in the national religious traditions, contemporary spirituality, ethics, and migrant religions.
His dissertation (‘Religion and depression in later life, an empirical approach’ 1999) was based on
data from LASA and EURODEP, a collaborative program of epidemiological studies into depression
in old age. The first studies on religiousness and depression followed a sociological and
epidemiological approach. Afterwards, the possibility was obtained to use methods and insights as
available in the psychology of religion, such as on image of God and religious coping. Again, the
ongoing LASA study facilitated the proceedings of the research.
Within the Netherlands, there are close ties with scholars participating in the Knowledge Network on
Religion, Meaning in Life and Mental Care (contributors: KSGV, CVPPP, Dimence, Stichting
Psychiatrie en Religie). Several international initiatives (World Psychiatric Association, The
European Network of Research on "Religion, Spirituality and Health") and repeating contacts with the
Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health of Duke University provide new and motivating insights.

Other subjects of research include emergency psychiatry, epidemiology of depression, and case
reports in clinical psychiatry.
Publications
International (refereed) journals
Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., Tilburg, T.G. van, Deeg, D.J.H., & Tilburg, W. van (1997). Religious Involvement
and Depression in Older Dutch Citizens. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 32, 284-291.
Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., Smit, J.H., & Tilburg, W. van (1997). Religiosity as a protective
or prognostic factor of depression in later life; results from a community survey in the Netherlands. Acta
Psychiatrica Scandinavica 96, 199-205.
Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., Knipscheer, C.P.M., Deeg, D.J.H., Eeden, P. van den, & Tilburg, W. van (1998).
Religious denomination and depression among older Dutch citizens: patterns and models. Journal of Aging and
Health 10, 483-503.
Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., & Tilburg, W. van (1999). Religion and depression in later life. Current Opinion
in Psychiatry, 12, 471-475.
Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., Eeden, P. van den, Deeg, D.J.H., Knipscheer, C.P.M., & Tilburg, W. van (1999).
Religious climate and geographical distribution of depressive symptoms in older Dutch citizens. Journal of
Affective Disorders 54, 149-159.
Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., Smit, J.H., & Tilburg, W. van (1999). LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Religiousness and remission of depression. American Journal of Psychiatry 156, 809.
Braam, A.W., Sonnenberg, C.M., Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., & Tilburg, W. van (2000). Religious denomination
as a symptom-formation factor of depression in older Dutch citizens. International Journal of Geriatric
Psychiatry 15, 458-466.
Braam, A.W., Eeden, P. van den, Prince, M.J., Beekman, A.T.F., Kivelä, S., Lawlor, B.A., Birkhofer, A., Fuhrer,
R., Lobo, A., Mann, A., Magnusson, H., Meller, I., Roelands, M., Skoog, I., Turrina, C., & Copeland, J.R.M.
(2001). Religion as a cross-cultural determinant of depression in elderly Europeans: results from the EURODEP
collaboration. Psychological Medicine 31, 803-814.
Braam, A.W., Hein, E., Deeg, D.J.H., Twisk, J.W.R., Beekman, A.T.F., & Tilburg, W. van (2004). Religious
involvement and 6-year course of depressive symptoms in older Dutch citizens. Journal of Aging and Health 16,
467-489.
Braam, A.W., Delespaul, P., Beekman A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., Pérès, K., Dewey, M., Kivelä, S.-L., Lawlor, B.A.,
Magnússon H., Meller, I., Prince, M.J., Reischies, F.M., Roelands, M., Saz, P., Schoevers, R.A., Skoog, I.,
Turrina, C., Versporten, A., & Copeland, J.R.M. (2004). National context of healthcare, economy and religion
and the association between disability and depressive symptoms in older Europeans: results from the
EURODEP concerted action. European Journal of Ageing, 1, 26-36.
Braam, A.W., Prince, M.J., Beekman, A.T.F., Delespaul, P., Dewey, M.E., Geerlings, S.W., Kivelä, S.-L.,
Lawlor, B.A., Magnússon, H., Meller, I., Pérès, K., Reischies, F.M., Roelands, M., Schoevers, R.A., Saz, P.,
Skoog, I., Turrina, C., Versporten, A., & Copeland, J.R.M. (2005) Physical health and depressive symptoms in
older Europeans: results from EURODEP. British Journal of Psychiatry, 87, 35-42.
Braam, A.W., Visser, S., Cath, D.C., & Hoogendijk, W.J.G. (2006). Case study: investigation of the syndrome
of apotemnophilia and course of a cognitive-behavioural therapy. Psychopathology, 39, 32-37.
Braam, A.W., Bramsen, I., Tilburg, T.G. van, Ploeg, H.M. van der, & Deeg, D.J.H. (2006). Cosmic
transcendence and framework of meaning in life: patterns among older adults in the Netherlands.
Journals of Gerontology, Social Sciences, 61, S121-128.

Braam, A.W., Deeg, D.J.H., Poppelaars, J.L., Beekman, A.T.F., & Tilburg W. van Tilburg (2007). Prayer and
depressive symptoms in a period of secularization: patterns among older adults in The Netherlands. American
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 15, 273-281.
Braam, A.W., Schaap-Jonker H., Mooi, B., Ritter D. de, Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg D.J.H. (2008). God image and
mood in old age; results from a community-based pilot study in the Netherlands. Mental Health, Religion &
Culture 11, 221-237.
Braam, A.W., Mooi, B., Schaap-Jonker J., Tilburg W., van, & Deeg, D.J.H. (2008). God image and Five Factor
Model personality characteristics in later life: a study among inhabitants of Sassenheim in The Netherlands.
Mental Health, Religion & Culture 11, 547-559.
Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., Dewey, M.E., Delespaul, P.A., Fichter, M., Lobo, A., Magnússon, H., Pérès,
K., Reischies, F.M., Roelands, M., Saz, P., Schoevers, R.A., Skoog, I., Copeland, J.R.M. (2010).
Depression and parkinsonism in older Europeans: results from the EURODEP concerted action
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 25, 679-687.
Braam, A.W., Schrier, A.C., Tuinebreijer, W.C., Beekman, A.T.F., Dekker, J.J.M., & de Wit, M.A.S. (2010).
Religious coping and depression in multicultural Amsterdam: a comparison between native Dutch citizens and
Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese / Antillean migrants. Journal of Affective Disorders, 125, 269-278.
Braam, A.W., Klinkenberg M., Deeg, D.J.H. (2011). Religiousness and mood in the last week of life; an
explorative approach based on after-death proxy-interviews. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 14, 31-37.
- as co-author
Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., Limbeek, J. van, Braam, A.W., Vries, M.Z. de, & Tilburg, W. van (1997). Criterion
validity of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D): results from a community based
sample of older subjects in the Netherlands. Psychological Medicine 27, 231-236.
Beekman, A.T.F, Penninx, B.W.J.H., Deeg, D.J.H., Ormel, J., Braam, A.W., & Tilburg, W. van (1997).
Depression and physical health in later life: results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA).
Journal of Affective Disorders 46, 219-231.
Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., Braam, A.W., Smit, J.H., & Tilburg, W. van (1997). Consequences of major and
minor depression in later life: a study of disability, well-being and service utilization. Psychological Medicine 27,
1397-1409.
Beekman, A.T.F., Penninx, B.W.J.H., Deeg, D.J.H., Ormel, J., Smit, J.H., Braam, A.W., & Tilburg, W. van
(1998). Depression in survivors of stroke: a community-based study of prevalence, risk factors and consequences.
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 33, 463-470.
Beekman, A.T.F., Geerlings, S.W., Deeg, D.J.H., Smit, J.H., Schoevers, R.S., Beurs, E. de, Braam, A.W.,
Penninx, B.W.J.H., & Tilburg, W. van (2002). The natural history of late-life depression: a 6-year prospective
study in the community. Archives of General Psychiatry 59, 605-611.
Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., Smit J.H., Comijs H.C., Braam, A.W., de Beurs, E., & van Tilburg, W. (2004).
Dysthymia in later life: a study in the community. Journal of Affective Disorders, 81, 191-199.
Geerlings, M.I., Schmand, B., Braam, A.W., Jonker, C., Bouter, L.M., & Tilburg, W. van (2000). Depressive
symptoms and risk of Alzheimer's disease in more highly educated older people. Journal of the American
Geriatric Society, 48, 1092-1097.
Branco, K.J., & Braam, A.W. (2006). The effects of church attendance, strength of faith, and cognitive
impairment on socially inappropriate and abusive behavior among nursing home residents. Journal of Religion,
Spirituality & Aging 19, 17-36.

Sadler E.A., Braam, A.W., Broese-van Groenou, M.I., Deeg, D.J.H., & Geest, S. van der (2006). Cosmic
transcendence, loneliness and exchange of support with adult children: a study among older parents in The
Netherlands. European Journal of Ageing 3, 146-154.
Steunenberg, B., Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., & Kerkhof, A.J.F.M. (2009). Evidence for an
association of the Big Five Personality Factors with recurrence of depressive symptoms in later life.
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24, 1470-1477.
Suanet, B., Broese van Groenou, M., Braam, A.W. (2009). Changes in volunteering among young old in the
Netherlands between 1992 and 2002: the impact of religion, age-norms, and intergenerational transmission.
European Journal of Aging 6, 157-165.
Wittkampf, L.C., Smeets, H.M., Knol, M.J., Geerlings, M.I., Braam, A.W., & De Wit, N.J. (2010). Differences
in psychotropic drug prescription among ethnic groups in the Netherlands. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric
Epidemiology, 45, 819-826.
Noort, A., Braam, A.W., van Gool, A.R., & Beekman, A.T.F. (2011). Recognition of psychopathology with
religious content by clergy members: a case vignette study. Mental Health, Religion & Culture. Accepted for
publication. DOI: 10.1080/13674676.2011.569705
Galenkamp, H., Braam, A.W., Huisman, M., & Deeg, D.J.H. (2011). Somatic multimorbidity and self-rated
health in the older population. Journals of Gerontology, B Psychological Sciences Social Sciences 66:380-386.
- Nederlandstalige artikelen / Papers in Dutch
Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., & Tilburg, W. van (1994). Religiositeit en depressieve symptomen
bij ouderen, een studie bij ouderen in de bevolking van Sassenheim [Religiosity and depressive symptoms
among elderly persons; a study among older inhabitants of Sassenheim]. Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie 36, 509-519.
Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., & Tilburg, W. van (1996). Kerkelijke gezindte en depressieve
symptomen bij ouderen [Religious denomination and depressive symptoms among elderly persons]. Tijdschrift
voor Psychiatrie, 38, 325-330.
Braam, A.W., Deeg, D.J.H., Tilburg, T.G. van, Beekman, A.T.F., & Tilburg, W. van (1998). Gerotranscendentie
als levensperspectief: een eerste empirische benadering bij ouderen in Nederland [Gerotranscendence as a life
cycle perspective: a first empirical approach among older adults in the Netherlands]. Tijdschrift voor Gerontologie
en Geriatrie 29, 24-32.
Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., & Tilburg, W. van (2000). Gereformeerde depressie of depressies
bij gereformeerden? Gegevens uit ouderenonderzoek [Calvinist depression or depression in Calvinists? Results
from a sample of older Dutch citizens]. Psyche en Geloof 11, 114-129.
Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., & Tilburg, W. van (2003). Religiositeit en depressie bij ouderen: een overzicht
van recent empirisch onderzoek [Religiosity and depression in later life: a review of recent epidemiological
research]. Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie, 45, 495-505.
Braam, A.W. (2006). Psychiater en religie: agnost en ietsist [Psychiatrist and religion: agnostic or vague
transcendent assumptions]. Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie 48, 387-388.
Braam, A.W., Klinkenberg, M., & Deeg, D.J.H. (2006). Religiositeit en stemming in de laatste levensweek; een
exploratieve benadering aan de hand van nabestaandeninterviews [Religiousness and mood in the last week of
life; an explorative approach based on after-death proxy-interviews]. Tijdschrift voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie
37, 254-262.
Braam, A.W. (2008). Religie en de bipolaire stoornis: openbaring of desillusie. Psychopraxis 10(6), 268-271.
Braam, A.W. (2009). Empirisch onderzoek over bidden: wonderen of betekenisgeving? Psyche & Geloof 20.

Braam, A.W. (2010). Triage in de spoedeisende zorg naar de GGZ; de komst van de Nederlandse Triage
Standaard. Maandblad Geestelijke Volksgezondheid 65, 593-606.
Braam, A.W., Noort, A., Schaap Jonker, J., Deeg, D.J.H. (2010). Godsbeeld en depressie bij ouderen in
Sassenheim: een detailverkenning naar schuldgevoelens . Psyche & Geloof 21, 263-274.
- as co-author
Deeg, D.J.H., & Braam, A.W. (1997). Het belang van kwaliteit van leven voor ouderen zelf; een kwantitatieve
benadering [The relevance of quality of life for older adults; a quantitative approach]. Medische Anthropologie 9,
136-149.
Falck, R.P., Pot, A.M., Braam, A.W., Hanewald, G.J.F.P., & Ribbe, M.W. (1999). Depressie bij somatische
verpleeghuispatiënten : Een pilotstudie naar prevalentie en herkenning [Prevalence and diagnosis of depression
in frail nursing home patients; a pilot study]. Tijdschrift voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie 30, 193-199.
Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., Braam, A.W., & Tilburg, W. van (2000). Depressie in gerontologisch
perspectief. Psychologie en Maatschappij, 92, 238-247.
Kamp, K. van de, Braam, A.W., & Deeg, D.J.H. (2008). Verschuiving van de ervaren gezondheid van 55-64jarigen
tussen 1992/’93 en 2002/’03. Verklarende factoren [Shift in the self-perceived health of 55-64-year olds
between 1992 and 2002). Tijdschrift voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie 39, 182-192.
Noort, A., Braam, A.W., & Beekman, A.T.F. (2008). De beoordeling van vignetten met psychiatrische
problematiek met religieuze inhoud door GGZ-medewerkers. Psychopraxis 10 (6): 257-262.
Bisseling, E.M. & Braam, A.W. (2009). Tijdslimieten in de samenwerking tussen politie en crisisdienst: een
praktijkevaluatie in Utrecht. Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie 51, 687-692.
-Books, or contributions to books
Braam, A.W. (2001). Religion and depression in later life, an empirical approach, revised edition [thesis,
reprint]. Amsterdam: Rozenberg Publishers.
Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., & Tilburg, W. van (1998). De gedifferentieerde relatie tussen religie
en depressie; een empirische benadering bij ouderen in de bevolking [The differentiated relationship between
religion and depression; an empirical study among older Dutch citizens]. In: Glas, G., ed., Psychiatrie en religie;
de bijna verloren dimensie [Psychiatry and religion: the dimension almost lost]. Nijmegen: KSGV.
Braam, A.W., Beekman, A.T.F., Deeg, D.J.H., & Tilburg, W. van (1998). Religie en de verwerking van
ouderdomsproblemen [Religion and facing adversity in later life]. In: Broese, M.I., Deeg, D.J.H., Knipscheer,
C.P.M., & Ligthart, G.J. eds., VU-visies op veroudering [Views on aging in the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam].
Amsterdam: Thela Thesis.
Braam, A.W. (2007). De psychiater als pastor. In: A.T.F. Beekman, A. van Balkom, & W. Hoogendijk: The
Playing Captain, liber amoricum bij het emeritaat van W. van Tilburg. Utrecht: De Tijdstroom Uitgeverij.
Braam, A.W. (2009). Religion/spirituality and mood disorders. In: P. Huguelet & H.G. Koenig:
Religion/Spirituality and Psychiatry. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Braam, A.W., de Boer Kreeft, N. (2009). Case report - The ultimate relief: resolution of the apotemnophilia
syndrome. In: Stirn, A., Thiel, A., Oddo, S. (eds.): Body Integrity Identity Disorder: psychological,
neurobiological, ethical and legal aspects. Lengerich, Germany: Pabst Science Publishers.
Braam, A.W. (2010). Religion und Depression. In: C. Klein, H. Berth, & F. Balck (Hrsg.): Gesundheit -
Religion - Spiritualität. Konzepte, Befunde und Erklärungsansätze. Weinheim: Juventa (im Druck).

Braam, A.W. (2011). Depressieve en bipolaire stoornissen. In: P.J. Verhagen & H.J.G.M. van Megen (eds.):
Handboek Psychiatrie, religie & spiritualiteit. Verschijnt in najaar 2011.
Noort, A., & Braam, A.W. (2011). Ouderenpsychiatrie en religie. In: P.J. Verhagen & H.J.G.M. van Megen
(eds.): Handboek Psychiatrie, religie & spiritualiteit. Verschijnt in najaar 2011.
-Other
Braam, A.W. (2000). Een sympathiek raadsel; over de motivatie om epidemiologisch onderzoek te doen naar depressie
en religie [An appealing mystery; on the motivation to study religion and epidemiology of depression]. IN
DE MARGE, tijdschrift voor levensbeschouwing en wetenschap, 9 (1), 16-20.
Braam A.W. (1999). Book review: Rowe, J.W., & Kahn, R.L. (1998), Successful Aging. International
Psychogeriatrics.
Braam, A.W. (1999). Boekbespreking: Pols, J., Depla, M., & Lange, J. de (1998). Gewoon oud en chronisch;
mogelijkheden en beperkingen in de zorg voor ouderen met een psychiatrische achtergrond in het
verzorgingshuis. Tijdschrift voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie.
Copeland, J.R.M., A.T.F. Beekman, A.W. Braam, M.E. Dewey, P. Delespaul, R. Fuhrer, C. Hooijer, B.A.
Lawlor, A. Lobo, H. Magnusson, A.H. Mann, I. Mellor, M.J. Prince, F. Reischies, M. Roelands, I. Skoog, C.
Turrina, M.W. de Vries & K.C.M. Wilson (2004). Depression among older people in Europe: the EURODEP
studies. World Psychiatry 3: 45-49.
Braam, A.W. (2004). Symposiumbespreling: Religieuze Psychopathologie. Maandblad Geestelijke
volksgezondheid, 59, 443-446.
Braam, A.W. (2004). Boekbespreking: M. Steemers van Winkoop, Geloven in leven; Spirituele zorg voor
stervenden en hun naasten. Medische Anthropologie, 16, 392-395.
Braam, A.W. (2005). Boekbespreking: W. Kusters, Pure Waanzin; een zoektocht naar de psychotische ervaring.
Psyche en Geloof, 2005 / 3.
Braam, A.W. (2006). Boekbespreking: J.Z.T. Pieper & M.H.F. van Uden (2005), Religion and Coping in Mental
Health Care. Psyche en Geloof, 2006 / 3, 169-172.
Braam, A.W. (2006). Gerotranscendentie: wijsheid of sprookje? Gerõn 8, 22-25.
Braam, A.W. (2007) Boekbespreking: F. Smit (2006), Prevention of Depression (Dissertation). Maandblad
Geestelijke Volksgezondheid 62, 156-159
Braam, A.W. (2010). Crisis door ernstige slaapproblemen bij gegeneraliseerde angststoornis: een behandeling
met olanzapine. Psyfar (2), 32-35.
- Symposia
World Psychiatric Association – world conferences 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011
Gerontological Society of America (GSA) – conference 1998, 2003
Voorjaarscongres NVvP (National Conference of Psychiatry in the Netherlands) – 1995 up to 2011 about once
in two years.