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Associations Between Depressive Symptoms and Religiosity in Young Adults

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between religiosity and depressive symptoms among young adults, as well as determine whether possession of parental assets influences the relationship between religiosity and depressive symptoms. Young adults (n = 775) from universities in the southwest were sent an online survey, evaluating depressive symptoms, religiosity beliefs, and the protective assets of the relationships with their mother and father. With regard to young adult depressive symptoms, results showed a significant inverse association with levels of organizational religious activities (OR range = 0.208–0.555), levels of non-organizational religious activities (OR range = 0.282–0.399), and intrinsic religiosity (OR range = 0.216–0.489). Overall, religiosity beliefs and practices appeared to be associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Inclusion of religious/spirituality-oriented strategies may be important for mental health interventions in emerging adulthood.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Exercise Science, The University of Oklahoma, 1401 Asp Ave., Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Shannon Gwin, Laurette Taylor, Marshall Cheney & Sarah B. Maness

  2. Department of Kinesiology and Health, Miami University, 420 S. Oak Street, Phillips Hall 202P, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA

    Paul Branscum

  3. Counseling Psychology Program, Department of Educational Psychology, The University of Oklahoma, 820 Van Vleet Oval, Room 321, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Melissa Frey

  4. The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, 801 Northeast 13th Street, Room 303, P. O. Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK, 73126, USA

    Ying Zhang

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  1. Shannon Gwin
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  2. Paul Branscum
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  3. Laurette Taylor
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  4. Marshall Cheney
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  5. Sarah B. Maness
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  7. Ying Zhang
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Correspondence to Shannon Gwin.

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Gwin, S., Branscum, P., Taylor, L. et al. Associations Between Depressive Symptoms and Religiosity in Young Adults. J Relig Health 59, 3193–3210 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00889-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00889-5

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