An extensive analysis of data from the British Household Panel Survey has cast doubt on the widely held belief that attending religious services boosts mental health. The study, published in Psychological Science, found that the relationship between religious-service attendance and mental health is largely unclear. Contrary to previous research suggesting a positive association, this study revealed mostly no such connection, and in some instances, increased attendance was linked to worsening mental health symptoms.
Religious-service attendance, which refers to participation in organized religious gatherings such as church, mosque, synagogue, or temple services, is a common measure of religiosity in psychological and health research. Historically, studies have linked regular attendance with better mental health outcomes, including lower rates of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. This is often attributed to the social support and sense of belonging provided by religious communities.
Exploring the Complex Relationship
Attending religious services is thought to promote positive coping strategies, such as hope, forgiveness, and meaning-making during difficult times. Religious involvement is also associated with healthier lifestyles, indirectly supporting mental well-being. However, the benefits can vary significantly depending on personal belief and cultural context. For some, religious environments may be stressful or stigmatizing, with the positive effects being stronger when attendance is voluntary and personally meaningful.
Gabriele Prati, the study’s author, aimed to explore both within-person and between-person processes in the relationship between religious-service attendance and mental health. Specifically, Prati examined how changes in an individual’s attendance related to changes in their mental health over time, as well as how people who attend religious services more or less frequently differ in terms of mental health.
Study Methodology and Findings
The research utilized data from the Understanding Society—British Household Panel Survey, a longitudinal study of a nationally representative sample of British households. The dataset included responses from 18 annual survey waves conducted between 1991 and 2009, with a final sample of 29,298 individuals. At the study’s outset, the average age of participants was 44 years, and 53% were female.
Participants self-reported their mental health symptoms and frequency of religious-service attendance. Attendance was assessed in 10 of the 18 survey waves with the question: “How often, if at all, do you attend religious services or meetings?” Response options ranged from weekly attendance to never attending.
“The results suggest that there is a need to question the assumption that religious-service attendance provides mental health benefits,” the study authors concluded.
The findings indicated that religious-service attendance at one time point was generally not associated with improved mental health outcomes at a later time. Even when participants reported higher-than-usual religious attendance, they did not tend to experience mental health improvements. In some cases, increased attendance was followed by worse mental health symptoms.
Implications and Future Research
The study offers new insights into the complex links between religious-service attendance and mental health. However, it is crucial to consider that these findings are based on a British sample, and results may vary in different cultural or religious contexts. The research highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of how religious involvement can affect mental health, emphasizing that the benefits of religious attendance are not universal.
Future research could explore the impact of religious attendance in diverse cultural settings and examine other factors that might mediate the relationship between religiosity and mental health. Understanding these dynamics could inform interventions aimed at leveraging religious communities for mental health support.
The paper, titled “Does Religious-Service Attendance Increase Mental Health? A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis Across 18 Years,” was authored by Gabriele Prati, offering a critical perspective on a topic of significant interest to both researchers and the general public.
