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Religion and Depression in Adolescence
Jane Cooley Fruehwirth1, Sriya Iyer2, Anwen Zhang3
1University of North Carolina.
The Journal of Political Economy
|July 10, 2019
Summary
Religiosity may causally reduce depression in adolescents, particularly those most affected. This effect appears to buffer against stress, unlike school activities or friendships.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Sociology
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Depression is a primary cause of adolescent illness and disability.
- A correlation exists between religiosity and mental health, but causality is unproven.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between adolescent religiosity and depression.
- To determine if religiosity mitigates depression and explore underlying mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Utilized within-school peer variation to address selection bias in religiosity.
- Analyzed depression spread among close friends versus broader peer groups.
Main Results:
- Found robust evidence of religiosity reducing depression, especially in severely depressed adolescents.
- Demonstrated that depression spreads through close friendships, not general peer influence on religiosity.
- Identified religiosity as a stress buffer, distinct from school activities and friendships.
Conclusions:
- Religiosity demonstrates a causal impact on reducing adolescent depression.
- Religiosity's stress-buffering capacity offers a unique protective mechanism against depression.
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