Religious Activity and Mental Health
While we’re on the subject of mental health, I ran across a blog post detailing the results of a study on the correlation between religious activity and mental health. The study was conducted by Joanna Maselko, Sc.D of Temple University. She says that “One’s lifetime pattern of religious service attendance can be related to psychiatric illness.” Interesting, isn’t it?
The results of the study indicate that women who stop their religious activity are three times more likely to suffer from mental problems such as general anxiety and alcohol abuse or dependence. However, the results are not the same for the opposite sex. In fact, for men who have always been religiously active, stopping religious activity would make them less prone to depression and similar problems!
Maselko’s explanation for this disparity? “Women are simply more integrated into the social networks of their religious communities. When they stop attending religious services, they lose access to that network and all its potential benefits. Men may not be as integrated into the religious community in the first place and so may not suffer the negative consequences of leaving.”
I grew up in church. I went to Sunday School weekly as a kid – actually well way into my college years, when I attended the weekly services. To be honest, I haven’t attended church in ages. I suppose looking back, the study does apply to me. However, I am sure that there are those who may not have had the same experience. Nevertheless, I think this study and its findings are quite intriguing, don’t you think?
February 11, 2008 at 12:07 pm
[...] Courtesy: http://www.thehealthblog.net/mental-health/religious-activity-and-mental-health/ [...]
May 17, 2008 at 10:13 pm
It may also be other way round. Religious values generally preach accomadating oneself into the systems of life in general and those of that religion in particular. When one has typical psychological disorders one may not be able to relate oneself to such “justification” factors that help or that are supposed to help life felt more calm. After all , all those who do not follow the formal religions cannot be doubted on their sanity? Hope not.
June 20, 2008 at 7:59 pm
It is true that maximum of religious activities is based on refresh our mind…
If one should clearly follow their religious activity then there is no need to take any extra options for managing their mental health.
nice topic.
-nadal-
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December 20, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Hello! simply super resource
February 16, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Hi I really thankful to you because you are simply greatI am very happy to post my comment in this blog.In mental health,We know From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual’s ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience.
Tom
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March 5, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Hello. Great job. I did not expect that kind of honest information. This is a great story. Thanks!