Abstract
Background. The death of a family member is a stressful life event and can result in an increased level of depressive symptoms. Previous American research has shown inverse relationships between religious involvement and depression. European investigations are few and findings inconsistent; different contexts may have an important influence on findings. We therefore investigated the relationship between attendance at church/prayer house and depressive symptoms, and whether this relationship was moderated by the death of a close family member, in Norway. Methods. A population-based sample from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, Norway (HUNT 3, N = 37,981), was the population examined. Multiple regression and interaction tests were utilised. Results. Religious attendees had lower scores on depressive symptoms than non-attendees; death of a close family member moderated this relationship. The inverse relationships between attendance at church/prayer house and depressive symptoms were greater among those experiencing the death of an immediate family member in the last twelve months compared to those without such an experience, with men's decrease of depressive symptoms more pronounced than women's. Conclusion. In a population-based study in Norway, attendance at church/prayer house was associated with lower depressive symptoms, and the death of a close relative and gender moderated this relationship.
Highlights
Previous research has shown that loss of family members is associated with increased level of depression [1]
The average score of depressive symptoms was 3.3. 10.2% of the sample had experienced the death of an immediate family member. 40.8% never attended church or prayer house, 45.9% had attended one to six times over the last six months, 9.7% attended one to three times per month, and 3.6% more than three times per month
We found that the death of an immediate family member within the last twelve months moderated the relationship between attendance at church/prayer house and depressive symptoms in such a way that the inverse relationship was even greater among those who had
Summary
Previous research has shown that loss of family members is associated with increased level of depression [1]. The relationship between religious activity and depression in the European context is largely unexplored, and results of previous research are inconsistent. This may have to do with the different populations being studied in terms of the distribution of life stressors. The death of a family member is a stressful life event and can result in an increased level of depressive symptoms. We investigated the relationship between attendance at church/prayer house and depressive symptoms, and whether this relationship was moderated by the death of a close family member, in Norway. In a population-based study in Norway, attendance at church/prayer house was associated with lower depressive symptoms, and the death of a close relative and gender moderated this relationship
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
