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Religiosity and psychological distress among blacks
D R Brown1, S C Ndubuisi, L E Gary
1Institute of Urban Affairs and Research at Howard University, Washington, D.C..
Journal of Religion and Health
|November 27, 2013
Summary
Religion positively impacts mental health for Black Americans. Females show higher religiosity, with religion directly benefiting their well-being, while for males, it acts as a stress buffer.
Area of Science:
- Sociology of Religion
- Mental Health Research
- African American Studies
Background:
- The relationship between religion and mental well-being is debated.
- Limited research exists on this connection within the Black American population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender differences in religiosity among urban Black Americans.
- To explore the impact of religiosity on mental health, considering gender-specific effects.
Main Methods:
- A probability-based sample of 451 urban Black Americans was utilized.
- Data collected on religiosity (participation, age, marital, parental, education, income, employment status) and mental health (depressive symptoms).
- Statistical analyses examined gender differences and the association between religiosity and mental health outcomes.
Main Results:
- Females reported higher religiosity than males, particularly in organizational religious participation.
- Religiosity varied significantly by age, marital, and parental status for both genders.
- Higher religiosity correlated with fewer depressive symptoms in both males and females.
- Religion's effect on mental well-being was direct for females and a stress-buffering effect for males under stress.
Conclusions:
- Religiosity is associated with better mental health outcomes, specifically fewer depressive symptoms, in urban Black Americans.
- Gender moderates the influence of religion on mental well-being, with direct effects for females and stress-buffering effects for males.
- Future research should explore these gender-specific pathways in diverse populations.
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