Association Between Religious Service Attendance and Depression, Anxiety Among Older Amdo Tibetans

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Mental Health Research
• Tibetan Studies

Background:

• Religious service attendance is associated with improved well-being and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Limited research exists on this association within the Amdo Tibetan population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between religious service attendance and psychiatric symptoms (depression and anxiety) among older Amdo Tibetans.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 538 older Amdo Tibetans on the Tibetan Plateau.
• Data on religious service attendance and psychiatric symptoms (using CESD-8 and GAD-7 scales) were collected via face-to-face interviews.
• Generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the association, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was 46.10% and 24.91%, respectively.
• Weekly religious service attendance was significantly associated with lower odds of severe depressive symptoms (OR=0.43) and anxiety symptoms (OR=0.20) compared to never attending.
• Weekly attendance also showed lower levels of depression (OR=0.64) compared to never attendees.

Conclusions:

• Religious service attendance is linked to reduced risks of depression and anxiety in older Amdo Tibetans.
• Spiritual practices may play a crucial role in promoting mental well-being within specific cultural contexts like the Amdo Tibetan community.