An extensive analysis of data from the British Household Panel Survey has cast doubt on the long-held belief that attending religious services bolsters mental health. While past research often suggested a positive correlation between religious attendance and improved mental well-being, this new study, published in Psychological Science, found little evidence to support such claims. In fact, in some instances, increased religious attendance correlated with a slight worsening of mental health symptoms.
Religious-service attendance, which refers to participation in organized gatherings such as church, mosque, synagogue, or temple services, is a frequently studied measure of religiosity in psychological and health research. Historically, regular attendance has been linked to better mental health outcomes, including reduced depression, anxiety, and substance abuse rates. This positive relationship is often attributed to the social support and sense of community that religious environments provide.
Exploring the Complex Relationship
Attending religious services is thought to encourage positive coping strategies like hope, forgiveness, and meaning-making during challenging times. Additionally, religious involvement is often associated with healthier lifestyles, indirectly promoting mental well-being. However, these benefits can vary significantly based on individual beliefs and cultural contexts. For some, religious settings may be sources of stress or stigma, especially if attendance feels socially pressured rather than personally meaningful.
Gabriele Prati, the study’s author, sought to delve deeper into the dynamics between religious-service attendance and mental health by examining both within-person and between-person processes. She analyzed how changes in an individual’s attendance related to their mental health over time, as well as how individuals who attend services more or less frequently differ in mental health.
Methodology and Findings
Prati utilized data from the Understanding Society—British Household Panel Survey, a longitudinal study encompassing a nationally representative sample of British households. The dataset included responses from 18 survey waves conducted between 1991 and 2009, with a final sample size of 29,298 individuals. At the study’s outset, participants had an average age of 44 years, and 53% were female.
The study focused on participants’ self-reported mental health symptoms and frequency of religious-service attendance, assessed during 10 of the 18 survey waves. Respondents answered the question: “How often, if at all, do you attend religious services or meetings?” with options ranging from weekly attendance to never.
The results showed that religious-service attendance at one time point was generally not associated with mental health outcomes at a later time point.
Even when participants reported higher-than-usual religious attendance, improvements in mental health were not observed. In several cases, increased religious attendance was followed by worse mental health symptoms in subsequent surveys. Interestingly, at three time points, an increase in loss of confidence was linked to increased religious attendance.
Implications and Broader Context
The findings challenge the assumption that religious-service attendance inherently provides mental health benefits. This insight prompts a reevaluation of how religious involvement is perceived in terms of mental health support. However, it’s crucial to recognize that these results are based on a British sample, and outcomes may differ across various cultural or religious contexts.
Historically, the relationship between religion and mental health has been complex and multifaceted. While some studies have highlighted the protective effects of religious involvement, others have pointed out potential negative impacts, especially when religious environments are experienced as judgmental or exclusionary.
The study, titled “Does Religious-Service Attendance Increase Mental Health? A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis Across 18 Years,” offers a nuanced perspective on the topic. It underscores the importance of considering individual differences and cultural factors when evaluating the mental health implications of religious participation.
As research in this area continues, it will be vital to explore how personal belief systems and the quality of religious experiences influence mental health outcomes. Future studies could benefit from a more diverse range of cultural and religious contexts to provide a more comprehensive understanding of this intricate relationship.
