Religious students show better emotional health
Did they mention adequate control groups? If we compare one group that meets with others on a regular basis to another group which has no social network, there is an obvious confound besides the factor of religion. Your clip mentions "involved in activities", which lends itself to such an interpretation.
There is also, very importantly, no phrasing suggesting causation; the authors properly recognize this as a correlational study only, with no possibility of infering a causal link between religious belief and health.
Interesting, yes. Interesting primarily as the first step in an investigation, though, rather than any earthshattering news.
There is also, very importantly, no phrasing suggesting causation; the authors properly recognize this as a correlational study only, with no possibility of infering a causal link between religious belief and health.
Interesting, yes. Interesting primarily as the first step in an investigation, though, rather than any earthshattering news.
Suggestologist
Muse
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
- Messages
- 922
Mercutio said:
Maybe we should compare the rate of being "involved in activities" between the high and low religious.
I would also wonder about the definition of emotional health. It may well be that, if the facts of the nature of reality were known, despair would be seen as an entirely appropriate response to them. In that case, the presence of hope and absense of despair would not be a sign of psychological health, but rather a mark of delusion.
Suggestologist
Muse
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
- Messages
- 922
Bubbles said:
Hope generally has a higher survival value than despair; with hope, you keep looking; with despair, you stop looking; for solutions to extant problems. Despair is also more negatively-stressful.
Suggestologist said:
OK, hope aides self preservation. Fair enough. I was not aware that the superiority of life to death had been proven. I have, to be sure, an instinct to preserve my life. I have instincts to do lots of things (some of which (such as making fun of southerners (I live in Alabama)) would decrease my expected life span!
Suggestologist
Muse
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
- Messages
- 922
Bubbles said:
It's just a preference some people have. Maybe something to do with not liking too much uncertainty.
That's not an instinct. That's a drive to show superiority, blocked by a fear of personal injury.
Atlas
Master Poster
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2004
- Messages
- 2,223
I agree with Merc.
The study did make me wonder about some things though. Sexuality issues as well as associated guilt issues and self concept isues are some of the ideas in a swirl in the college years. And while they are never quite disposed of they are perhaps larger then because we are dealing with them outside of our childhood homes.
Christians really do have a magic way to deal with guilt that might be very mentally healthy for certain kinds of people. Self concept may provide a boon to the Christian mentally. They are, after all, just a little lower than angels. As far as the sexual repressions and explorations of the Christian, I'm sure it is difficult for many to distance themselves from the thoughts of sin. And for the true faithful that's got to lead to some emotional discomfort, on top of the regular discomfort when the guy doesn't call you ever after the one night of carnal joy.
Riddick, the religion you come out of was, I think, extremely sexually repressive, while at the same time a close community of faithful. You don't seem to carry any sexual repression onto these pages and are somewhat proud of your exploits. Are you unique in that community. Do you have buddies from home you laugh and joke with about it or is the subject more of a taboo?
I kinda think of Mormons the same way. But judging from some of the folks I've met along the way, it's not necessarily the religion but how well an individual takes to indoctrination. As far as mentally healthy goes, I know some Christians who seem constantly appalled at the the state of the world, and saddened whenever someone someplace is having "fun".
The study did make me wonder about some things though. Sexuality issues as well as associated guilt issues and self concept isues are some of the ideas in a swirl in the college years. And while they are never quite disposed of they are perhaps larger then because we are dealing with them outside of our childhood homes.
Christians really do have a magic way to deal with guilt that might be very mentally healthy for certain kinds of people. Self concept may provide a boon to the Christian mentally. They are, after all, just a little lower than angels. As far as the sexual repressions and explorations of the Christian, I'm sure it is difficult for many to distance themselves from the thoughts of sin. And for the true faithful that's got to lead to some emotional discomfort, on top of the regular discomfort when the guy doesn't call you ever after the one night of carnal joy.
Riddick, the religion you come out of was, I think, extremely sexually repressive, while at the same time a close community of faithful. You don't seem to carry any sexual repression onto these pages and are somewhat proud of your exploits. Are you unique in that community. Do you have buddies from home you laugh and joke with about it or is the subject more of a taboo?
I kinda think of Mormons the same way. But judging from some of the folks I've met along the way, it's not necessarily the religion but how well an individual takes to indoctrination. As far as mentally healthy goes, I know some Christians who seem constantly appalled at the the state of the world, and saddened whenever someone someplace is having "fun".
Z
Variable Constant
I do hope 'servey' was YOUR typo... otherwise, this says a lot to me.
Yes, I remember mentioning my sexual exploits. I've had time to relfect on that subject here in jref and have come to the following conclusion:Atlas said:
If I had said that I did not have sex for approximately 3 years, which is true, jref'ers would have jumped on the "you are sexually repressed" and "look what religion has done to you" and "go out, have some fun, for god's sake!" and "we here at jref definately know how to live it up winkwinknudgenudge" and "you need to get lucky more often" bandwagon.
If I had employed braggadocio in my sexual exploits, as I actually did, jref'ers would have jumped on the "you're a sexaholic and a poor example of someone to have a relationship with" and "what a disgrace to the human race" bandwagon.
jref'ers would have jumped my case in either direction, most likely. And, most jref'ers did employ the later sentiments in actuality. What was important for the jref'er was to show their disdain for my actions, in either case. Very predictable behavior, they didn't even try to disguise their position, a weakness of youth, I suppose.
Atlas
Master Poster
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2004
- Messages
- 2,223
You may be correct. I think proclaiming celibacy as an upshot of your religious beliefs might have made you a target. But remember, many of these guys are bloggers - they're not gettin any either.Riddick said:
It's too bad the way the subject came up. It painted you as a Christian having it both ways and 'in your face' about it when had it come up in a more thoughtful set of threads over a longer time frame it might have been seen as a natural part of the expression of our humanity apart from the beliefs we entertain.
I actually think that the Christians on this board bring more than just a target on their back. So many of us came out of the tradition. We made the same arguments and now our heads are in such a different place.
I can't say for sure but I would hope that had you started the other way, talking of the 3 years of celibacy that the exchange would have been more good natured encouragement than the disdain you believe you still would have gotten because it was an association we would have assumed sprang from your religious beliefs. I can't say for sure. These posters are not hedonists but they are not prudes either. They recognize human sexuality as something good, healthy, fun and very human. Everybody knows that there can be a lot of mental turmoil associated with it and the relationships we make because of it but safe loving sex is good for adults as a general statement.
evildave
Unregistered
E
Well, of course religious students show 'better' emotional health. Just look at Riddick, our poster boy for emotional maturity, security and such in religious students.
Maybe... an extremely qualified "maybe" depending upon the study parameters and the individual's dependence upon Religion as a crutch.
http://hirr.hartsem.edu/ency/Mental.htm
Quote:
The relationship between mental health and religion has generated contradictory theoretical arguments and inconsistent empirical findings (Bergin 1983, Gartner et al. 1991, Larson et al. 1992, Batson et al. 1993). One basic question is whether religion contributes positively to individuals' mental health or undermines it. Another question concerns the support role of churches and the counseling role of clergy in the mental health system (McCann 1962).
The opposing theoretical perspectives regarding the relation between religion and mental health probably reflect biases in evaluations of religion. The view that religion enhances mental health emphasizes that religious beliefs help fulfill the basic human need for meaning, purpose, and confidence in the face of life's disappointments, frustrations, and exigencies. In addition, church attendance and involvement in religious groups provide reinforcement for these beliefs and also a social support network. The argument that religion undermines mental health emphasizes the notion that religion perpetuates immature dependency needs and unrealistic illusions, and prevents mature adjustment to the exigencies of life. These positive and negative theoretical orientations are reflected in the classical works of Jung and Freud, with Jung recognizing religion's importance in human experience and Freud emphasizing religion as a source of immature illusions. William James's (1958 [1902]) classic distinction between the religion of "healthy-mindedness" versus the "sick soul," plus his description of the positive effects of a conversion experience for the latter type, have clear implications for mental health.
In the voluminous research literature (Schumaker 1992, Pargament et al. 1993, Brown 1994), the weight of the evidence seems generally to support the notion that religion contributes positively to mental health, but this depends in part on how religion and mental health are defined and measured. Beyond a minimum definition based on absence of dysfunctional symptoms, mental health may include a sense of well-being and satisfaction with life, appropriate coping skills, a sense of ego integrity, and, optimally, continual growth and development of one's potential. Religiosity measures most often include beliefs, practices, and religious experience as different dimensions. Religious experience is less frequently measured in survey research, except for investigations of a conversion (or "born-again") experience, but may be a major element of case studies. The relationship between religion and mental health is most likely to be positive for persons for whom religion is intrinsically important (as opposed to serving selfish interests); however, a rigid and dogmatic religious orientation may help reinforce irrational and compulsive behaviors reflecting less than optimal mental functioning. It is also plausible that one's religiosity is itself a reflection of one's level of mental health.
—Doyle Paul Johnson
References
C. D. Batson et al., Religion and the Individual (New York: Oxford University Press, 1993)
A. E. Bergin, "Religion and Mental Health," Professional Psychology 14(1983):170-184
L. B. Brown (ed.), Religion, Personality, and Mental Health (New York: Springer-Verlag, 1994)
J. Gartner et al., "Religious Commitment and Mental Health," Journal of Psychology and Theology 19(1991):6-25
W. James, The Varieties of Religious Experience (New York: New American Library, 1958 [1902])
D. B. Larson et al., "Associations Between Dimensions of Religious Commitment and Mental Health Reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry and Archives of General Psychiatry," American Journal of Psychiatry 149(1992):557-559
R. V. McCann, The Churches and Mental Health (New York: Basic Books, 1962)
K. I. Pargament et al., Religion and Prevention in Mental Health (Binghamton, N.Y.: Haworth, 1993)
J. F. Schumaker (ed.), Religion and Mental Health (New York: Oxford University Press, 1992).
http://hirr.hartsem.edu/ency/Mental.htm
Quote:
The relationship between mental health and religion has generated contradictory theoretical arguments and inconsistent empirical findings (Bergin 1983, Gartner et al. 1991, Larson et al. 1992, Batson et al. 1993). One basic question is whether religion contributes positively to individuals' mental health or undermines it. Another question concerns the support role of churches and the counseling role of clergy in the mental health system (McCann 1962).
The opposing theoretical perspectives regarding the relation between religion and mental health probably reflect biases in evaluations of religion. The view that religion enhances mental health emphasizes that religious beliefs help fulfill the basic human need for meaning, purpose, and confidence in the face of life's disappointments, frustrations, and exigencies. In addition, church attendance and involvement in religious groups provide reinforcement for these beliefs and also a social support network. The argument that religion undermines mental health emphasizes the notion that religion perpetuates immature dependency needs and unrealistic illusions, and prevents mature adjustment to the exigencies of life. These positive and negative theoretical orientations are reflected in the classical works of Jung and Freud, with Jung recognizing religion's importance in human experience and Freud emphasizing religion as a source of immature illusions. William James's (1958 [1902]) classic distinction between the religion of "healthy-mindedness" versus the "sick soul," plus his description of the positive effects of a conversion experience for the latter type, have clear implications for mental health.
In the voluminous research literature (Schumaker 1992, Pargament et al. 1993, Brown 1994), the weight of the evidence seems generally to support the notion that religion contributes positively to mental health, but this depends in part on how religion and mental health are defined and measured. Beyond a minimum definition based on absence of dysfunctional symptoms, mental health may include a sense of well-being and satisfaction with life, appropriate coping skills, a sense of ego integrity, and, optimally, continual growth and development of one's potential. Religiosity measures most often include beliefs, practices, and religious experience as different dimensions. Religious experience is less frequently measured in survey research, except for investigations of a conversion (or "born-again") experience, but may be a major element of case studies. The relationship between religion and mental health is most likely to be positive for persons for whom religion is intrinsically important (as opposed to serving selfish interests); however, a rigid and dogmatic religious orientation may help reinforce irrational and compulsive behaviors reflecting less than optimal mental functioning. It is also plausible that one's religiosity is itself a reflection of one's level of mental health.
—Doyle Paul Johnson
References
C. D. Batson et al., Religion and the Individual (New York: Oxford University Press, 1993)
A. E. Bergin, "Religion and Mental Health," Professional Psychology 14(1983):170-184
L. B. Brown (ed.), Religion, Personality, and Mental Health (New York: Springer-Verlag, 1994)
J. Gartner et al., "Religious Commitment and Mental Health," Journal of Psychology and Theology 19(1991):6-25
W. James, The Varieties of Religious Experience (New York: New American Library, 1958 [1902])
D. B. Larson et al., "Associations Between Dimensions of Religious Commitment and Mental Health Reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry and Archives of General Psychiatry," American Journal of Psychiatry 149(1992):557-559
R. V. McCann, The Churches and Mental Health (New York: Basic Books, 1962)
K. I. Pargament et al., Religion and Prevention in Mental Health (Binghamton, N.Y.: Haworth, 1993)
J. F. Schumaker (ed.), Religion and Mental Health (New York: Oxford University Press, 1992).
DangerousBeliefs
Graduate Poster
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2003
- Messages
- 1,299
Wow. They have a wealth of interesting statistics at the Higher Education Research Institute.
http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/heri/03_press_release.pdf
http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/heri/03_press_release.pdf
Lothian
should be banned
A survey of 3,680 college juniors on 46 campuses shows that those with active religious involvement are less likely to experience psychological problems other than having an imaginary friend.
Dragonrock
Militant Elvisian Tacoist
One would have to wonder if the religious students were more likely to be either intentionally untruthful or even unaware of what they were really feeling.
They might be untruthful because admitting that they felt depressed or feeling that they had a low self worth might be viewed as disrespectful to god.
The unawareness may be that they view their depression as simply being a lack of faith on their part so they don't think they're depressed, they just feel that they need to pray harder.
Most of the christians I know really don't understand how to deal with their emotions. The more fundamental they are, the worse their problems. Everything is looked at as being a problem with their relationship with god rather than situational or even physiological.
They might be untruthful because admitting that they felt depressed or feeling that they had a low self worth might be viewed as disrespectful to god.
The unawareness may be that they view their depression as simply being a lack of faith on their part so they don't think they're depressed, they just feel that they need to pray harder.
Most of the christians I know really don't understand how to deal with their emotions. The more fundamental they are, the worse their problems. Everything is looked at as being a problem with their relationship with god rather than situational or even physiological.
TragicMonkey
Poisoned Waffles
Reminds me of the old saw "If everyone around you is losing their heads and you're not, it's possible that you haven't grasped the situation."
Of course religious people have better mental health: they're already living at least parttime in Happy Fantasy World.
Of course religious people have better mental health: they're already living at least parttime in Happy Fantasy World.