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Depression and Religion Struggles
Depression and Religion Struggles
Literature Review
Amanda Fellure
Liberty University
EDUC 745
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Depression and Religion Struggles
ABSTRACT
The object of this literature review is to examine the relationship between the Depression
and the religious struggles of the population. Religion is associated with discovering the
understanding of life and describes the connection between human beings and religion. Religion
performs numerous functions in society; it gives one meaning and purpose to life. Abstract
representations of religion and mental health are demonstrated in this literature review. Faith
helps promote physical and psychological well-being; it assists mental health patients in coping.
Keywords: Depression, religion, mental health, research
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Depression and Religion Struggles
Introduction
Religion and spirituality are associated because they search for the understanding of life
and identify the connection between humans and God. Faith contributes to hope, and spirituality
assists them in comprehending that there is a higher power that can help solve problems. For
numerous durations, religion has explained mental health issues, such as Depression, stress, and
anxiety. Epidemiological observations show that members of some religious groups appear to be
at elevated risk for certain mental disorders (McCullough & Larson, 1999). Devotion helps
contest the abuse of drugs and substances that may be associated with mental health. The weight
of evidence, on average and across studies, suggests that religion, however assessed, is a
generally protective factor for mental illness. These patients may have religious problems and
may be unable to achieve 'mental health' until they feel that they have somehow atoned for their
acts (Andreasen, 1972). Numerous individuals suffer from mental health issues affected by the
absence of self-understanding and the efforts of struggling in their lives. Religion and spirituality assist
in the solution of tough choices about human reality and provide hope to individuals, helping others
cope with circumstances.
Religion and Depression
Research conducted has shown a dependable relationship between Depression and religion.
These studies have been remarkably diverse in scope, quality, and objectives, reflecting that
scholars have presumed that religious factors are potentially influential in mental health (Dein,
2016). The quantitative research included had shown low rates of Depression in religious
individuals. Studies were identified that quantitatively measured religious involvement or
spirituality; not included here are reflections of religious affiliation, which are reported
separately;(Bonelli et al., 2012). Research conducted in the late 90s had included that religion
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Depression and Religion Struggles
was shown to be accountable for mental well-being in society; a current new study has
confirmed otherwise. By providing hope, faith can protect individuals from hard times by giving
them understanding and reason for life. Many investigations had focused on Christianity and no
other religious organizations. Christian self-help literature has described Depression as a product
of demonic influence, with other studies showing that over a third of Christians would prefer
spiritual treatments for mental ill-health, including Depression (Lloyd et al., 2022). The religion
proposes a reduction of clients identified with mental health conditions and those who form
Depression. It is necessary to treat Depression. All those who care for people with chronic
medical illness should consider the identification and treatment of Depression a clinical priority
(Simon, 2001). Not treating Depression puts the client's life at risk with significant health issues,
including death. Religious affiliation does not necessarily protect against suicidal ideation but
does protect against suicide attempts (Lawrence et al., 2016). ;A belief established within a
society allows others to share their problems and interact. The extent of the church organization
can help identify and help others experiencing mental health issues, including Depression.
Church leaders can confront the problem of Depression by providing parishioners with
information in three related areas: symptoms of and reasons for Depression; distorted
understandings and uses of biblical ideas about perfection, self-denial, surrender, and expression
of anger and grief; and principles of parenting that encourage children's self-esteem, problem-
solving abilities, and faith development—strong deterrents to Depression (McCandless, 1991).
Decreasing Depression can help reduce suicidal thoughts from the teachings of the Bible.
The Bible teaches us to help care for others and work together to find a solution. Biblical 'self-
talks' are extremely important in overcoming Depression (Colbert, 1999). Religion presents
comfort and stability, which can encourage others not to give up and help others to seek help
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Depression and Religion Struggles
with their Depression. Statistical analyses examined factors related to the presence or absence of
Depression in the total sample of depressed and nondepressed participants and the severity of
Depression for those in the depressed group (Hayward et al., 2012). The social-economic of a
society is established as the feature of mental health. People from a regretful background tend to
suffer more from mental health issues than people with a more grateful experience.
Church and Mental Health
In the preceding investigation, individuals who join or attend worship more frequently
are less depressed than others. There is an argument on what exactly religion assists in showing a
reserve side effect on Depression because there is no clear example of what causes Depression.
Studies have examined religion as a coping mechanism for physical and mental illnesses, but few
studies have investigated the relationship between the patient's religiosity and depressive
psychopathology (Gupta et al., 2011). The social-economic category of a society regulates the
characteristic of their mental health. There is a large body of evidence demonstrating that active
participation in religion is associated with improved mental health, especially in terms of
Depression, suicide, and substance use, with some evidence of its protection from dementia and
stress-related disorders but no evidence of protection from schizophrenia and bipolar disorders
(Lehman et al., 2022). The community of African Americans has the lowest record of people
seeking mental health help. Only half of the U.S. seeks help for their mental health. An
investigation presented that African American community individuals are 20% more likely to
form mental health problems than other societies. Young age and fair to poor physical health
appear to be more powerful risk factors for major Depression among African Americans than
other demographic, sociocultural, and family background variables (Brown et al., 1999). Another
investigation demonstrated that most African Americans seek religion for their Depression at
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Depression and Religion Struggles
local churches in their society. African Americans have the highest rates of church attendance
among all racial/ethnic groups in the U.S., which makes churches viable catchment settings for
depression screening (Hankerson et al., 2015). This investigation demonstrated that most African
American communities seek church when mental health stability is distressing. Church has
performed a significant role in helping different societies and cultures in the U.S. to cope with
mental health. Church generates a bond connecting faith and mental well-being for communities.
Church leaders and pastors are involved as a link to help others by creating a link to God.
Although research has found church participation and spiritual practices helpful in ameliorating
many health and mental health concerns, research has yet to investigate the effect of church
participation and spiritual practices (Keefe et al., 2016). Biblical encourages hope and promise
for someone's future.
Individuals who attend church are filled with optimistic energy when they are filled with
hard times. There has been demonstrated many individuals will disagree and agree that mental
health is encouragingly influenced by having faith. Many investigations have shown a positive
reenactment between. Among the 43 publications that met these criteria, thirty-one (72.1 %)
found a relationship between the level of religious/spiritual involvement and less mental disorder
(positive), eight (18.6 %) found mixed results (positive and negative), and two (4.7 %) reported
more mental illness (damaging) (Bonelli & Koeing, 2013). It has been shown that many women
suffer from Depression. Some women cannot cope; it has been demonstrated that women
involved in religion or attending church daily can benefit encouragingly. A spiritual connection
can help others cope with many issues today. Higher levels of social support;and social
integration have been associated with religious attendance and lower levels of loneliness
(National Academies of Sciences, 2020). It has been investigated that religion may influence the
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association between Depression religiosity and personal comfort. Religious coping can include
both positive and negative ways of dealing with psychological stress: positive religious coping
may fit benevolent religious re-appraisals, such as belief in a supportive God (Medlock et al.,
2017).
The connection between mental health and religion has increased a mass of research and
data. The number of studies assessing spirituality/religiousness (S/R) and mental health has been
growing over the past several decades, resulting in a large body of evidence suggesting an impact
of S/R (Lucchett et al., 2021). Mental health, including Depression, has become an essential
subject for discussion in society, and religion is often used as a source of comfort for these
individuals, as demonstrated in different research worldwide. It is essential to understand how
Depression and religion can be linked together in various races and societies spread worldwide.
Religion has the potential to help the well-being of individuals.
There have been proven facts demonstrated through statistical information.Religion has
helped believers manage Depression, with women experiencing more side effects than men. The
average inverse correlation between religious involvement and Depression was 20.1, which
increased to 0.15 in stressed populations (Dein, 2010). Depression is essential to diagnose and
treat due to the chance of suicide. Religion lessons may prevent self-harm, but family support or
religious family is critical. It has been proven by different studies how religion can help
Depression, but it is also documented how belief can increase Depression. Religious
backgrounds are significant to the patients when assessing treatment; clinicians need to express
and be open about the effect of religion on a patient. Clinicians must know how their religious
beliefs affect the therapy process (Fallot, 2007).
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Depression and Religion Struggles
Conclusion
Recent studies demonstrated in this review that religion improves the well-being of
others. Religion educates others about life and God, which can help others. The Bible teaches
learners to pray to God to find peace. Elijah in the Bible is demonstrated as one who suffered
from low self-esteem, and he wanted to die; he is considered one of the Biblical Heroes. Religion
and Depression can be a learning experience for some by demonstrating the Prophet, who
struggled with diverse backgrounds. Mental health is a natural experience and disorder that can
affect anyone. Elijah felt useless and alone, like many others suffering from Depression, but God
was there to help. When others face problems, they pray to God or read Biblical stories,
including Elijah. Religion can improve the function of everyday life by showing how God cares
for his people and helps them overcome so many obstacles that they may cross. Without God and
my impressive church, I would not be here. So, I believe religion and Depression can increase
life's function, as demonstrated in the review.
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Depression and Religion Struggles
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