Introduction

While religion is associated with positive physical and mental health, facets of religious engagement are potentially detrimental to overall well-being, which have been less studied. This study examined associations between religious community stressors and psychosocial measures using baseline data from three cohort studies that participated in the Study on Stress, Spirituality, and Health.

Methods

Cross-sectional self-reported data from the 1) Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) (N=990), 2) Nurses’ Health Study II (NHSII) (N=4,268), and 3) Strong Heart Study (SHS) (N=752) were analyzed to identify associations between religious stressors (neglected by religious community or criticism from religious community) and depressive symptoms, with social network size as a potential mediator. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling in Mplus 8 and significance set at p<.05.

Results

The MASALA study only included South Asians, NHSII participants were 97% White, and SHS participants were 97% American Indians. Religious neglect and criticism had positive direct associations with depressive symptoms in the MASALA (β.08, β.04) and NHSII (β .08, β .04) cohorts. Religious neglect had negative direct associations with social network size [MASALA: β -0.15; NHSII: β -0.10; SHS: β -0.69] and indirect negative associations with depressive symptoms via social network size [NHSII: β -0.05; SHS: β -0.01]. Religious criticism had negative indirect associations with depressive symptoms via social network size [MASALA: β -0.02; NHSII β -0.05; SHS: β -0.01).

Discussion/Conclusion

These findings expand our understanding of religious group-based stressors and links with psychosocial health, thereby providing potential intervention points to bolster the health and well-being. Religious groups can be significant sources of support, which in turn can contribute to improved health outcomes, but only if members feel welcomed and accepted. Positive religious group relationships can be facilitated by research on what factors contribute to belonging and acceptance, and support for individuals seeking religious or spiritual communities.