Counseling Depressed Female Religious Professionals: Nuns and Clergywomen

Abstract

Stress, strain, depression, and coping resources in nuns and clergywomen were studied to better understand women religious professionals and to thus provide more appropriate counseling for them. Responses of 254 well‐matched female religious professionals were analyzed with t tests and ANOV As. Nuns had less stress (perceived pressure) and strain (actual wear and tear), less depression, and better coping resources than clergywomen. Female Reform rabbis experienced the most stress, strain, and possible depression, with the lowest coping resources. Yet, traditionalism in women's role within ecclesia does not explain why nuns are becoming more activist and feminist and leaving orders in growing numbers. Perhaps clergywomen are in a serious battle for the survival of female religious professionals and experiencing stress, strain, and depression on the road to victory over prejudice and injustice toward female believers.