Citation
Acevedo, Gabriel A.; DeAngelis, Reed T.; Farrell, Jordan; & Vaidyanathan, Brandon (2022). Is it the Sermon or the Choir? Pastoral Support, Congregant Support, and Worshiper Mental Health. Review of Religious Research, 64(4), 577-600. PMCID: PMC9437381Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although religious involvement tends to be associated with improved mental health, additional work is needed to identify the specific aspects of religious practice that are associated with positive mental health outcomes. Our study advances the literature by investigating how two unique forms of religious social support are associated with mental health.PURPOSE: We explore whether support received in religious settings from fellow congregants or religious leaders is associated with participants' mental health. We address questions that are not only of interest to religion scholars, but that may also inform religious leaders and others whose work involves understanding connections between religious factors and psychological outcomes within religious communities.
METHODS: We test several hypotheses using original data from the "Mental Health in Congregations Study (2017-2019)", a survey of Christian and Jewish congregants from South Texas and the Washington DC area (N = 1882). Surveys were collected using both paper and online surveys and included an extensive battery of religious and mental health measures.
RESULTS: Congregant support has more robust direct associations with mental health outcomes than faith leader support. Increased congregant support is significantly associated (p < 0.001) with fewer symptoms of psychological distress (
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13644-022-00500-6Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2022Journal Title
Review of Religious ResearchAuthor(s)
Acevedo, Gabriel A.DeAngelis, Reed T.
Farrell, Jordan
Vaidyanathan, Brandon
Article Type
RegularPMCID
PMC9437381Continent/Country
United States of AmericaState
TexasWashington D.C.