Religiosity and Mental Health: Examining Potential Influences on Mental Health Outcomes
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Sociology
Minor
Gender and Diversity Studies
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Alexandra Hendley
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Scholarship has extensively studied the relationship between religiosity and mental health, and the findings remain contradictory. Overall outcomes and wellness of mental health are dependent on religiosity beneficially and adversely; however, the factors that build an individual’s religiosity also influence this relationship. Community support, ritualistic behavior, social connections, and beliefs held and practiced through a religion can shape mental health, and these patterns are visible throughout various religions globally. While gender, race, socioeconomic status, nationality, and immigrant status are additional facets that may contribute to either robust or poor mental health quality, they also interact with the levels of religiosity in an individual’s life. Therefore, this study wishes to explore how the importance of religion can affect an individual’s mental health status. Although this study currently resides in its preliminary stages and does not have concrete findings yet, it will be conducted through secondary analysis of the 2021 General Social Survey (GSS) dataset.
Spring Scholars Week 2026
Political Science and Sociology Department Panel
Other Scholars Week Event
Sociology Panel
Religiosity and Mental Health: Examining Potential Influences on Mental Health Outcomes
Scholarship has extensively studied the relationship between religiosity and mental health, and the findings remain contradictory. Overall outcomes and wellness of mental health are dependent on religiosity beneficially and adversely; however, the factors that build an individual’s religiosity also influence this relationship. Community support, ritualistic behavior, social connections, and beliefs held and practiced through a religion can shape mental health, and these patterns are visible throughout various religions globally. While gender, race, socioeconomic status, nationality, and immigrant status are additional facets that may contribute to either robust or poor mental health quality, they also interact with the levels of religiosity in an individual’s life. Therefore, this study wishes to explore how the importance of religion can affect an individual’s mental health status. Although this study currently resides in its preliminary stages and does not have concrete findings yet, it will be conducted through secondary analysis of the 2021 General Social Survey (GSS) dataset.