Anxiety, depression and students’ religiosity

Abstract

Many studies have examined the protective factors associated with religion and mental illness. In some studies, religiosity had an inverse relationship to mental health problems, whereas in other studies, religiosity has no effect. The current study examines the relationship between religious beliefs, anxiety, and depression in college students. The Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory were administered as well as questions about religious beliefs and religiosity. No difference was found between Catholic and other Christian denominations in rates and levels of depression and anxiety. Self-reported religious influence and self-reported religiosity were significantly related to depression but not anxiety. Religious service attendance was negatively correlated with both anxiety and depression. These results suggest that certain aspects of religiosity may play a more influential role in the protection against depression, indicating these aspects of religion play different roles in individual's mental health.

Keywords:

• Affective disorders
• religion and psychology
• college students