Comparing Levels of Depression Between Religious and Non Religious Professions

Robin M. Fisher
Missouri Western State College
November 26, 1996

Abstract

The differences in levels of depression between religious and non-religious professionals were investigated in this study. Other studies have shown that professionals in the religious field tend to experience excessive amounts of stress that leads to depression. The results of these studies may be directly related to the strict beliefs that these professionals uphold. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in levels of depression between the religious and non-religious fields. The non-religious group derived from St. Joseph, Missouri, while the religious subjects were located in southern California. A Depression scale was utilized to determine the difference between the two groups. A 2 x 2 factorial ANOVA was used to compare the levels of depression between the groups. I found no significant difference between the two groups. Other results and further studies, however, could still aid in creating a less stressful working atmosphere for those chosen to work in the ministry.

Introduction

With the demands of life placed on today's society, depression is one of the most common outcomes. Everyone, at one time or another, has experienced depression that stems from stress. Most studies of depression have shown a relationship of depressive states to stressful life events and vulnerability to loss, stress (perceived pressure), and strain (Rayburn,1991). Over time, depression may break down many aspects of one's life. It is experienced in many ways. It can be in the form of unresolved and unexpressed anger, low energy, thoughts of failure and inadequacy, lower work productivity and poor attention, lessened recreational activity, and lack of hope for the future (Rayburn, 1991).

One aspect of life that may contribute to depression is one's chosen career or profession. Certain professions may be more stressful than others. Generally, the religious occupation, is a highly strict profession that facilitates a large amount of stress. Spinney (1991) states that behaviorally, they practice a narrow piety that is strictly enforced by an intrusive scrutiny and severe discipline. Such self severity is not found in non-religious professions. In a study conducted by Catipovic et al., (1995), the results concluded that religious employees scored higher on Depression than non-religious persons. Slawson (1973) also conducted a study with clergymen and found that in the clergy group there was a higher incidence of alcoholism, sexual problems, and sociopathic personality disorder. The results of such studies may be directly related to the strict attitudes and beliefs that religious professionals live by. Perfectionism, self-criticism, and low self-esteem in a theological sense may contribute to problems, including depression (Rayburn, 1991). There is a definite stressful issue in the religious field pertaining to women working and devoting their lives to the ministry. This field of work has traditionally been an all male profession where the woman's place is in the home. These traditional gender-roles are quickly becoming extinct as more women are choosing to work in the ministry. Thus, in the seminary and in the field itself, some of the male religious professionals are maintaining traditional ideas about women and thus not accepting the new, more participant roles of women as clergy (Rayburn, 1991). Such views could easily create stress for both men and women in the religious field, therefore, resulting in depression. With such strict rules to live by and unresolved conflicts to work through, the stress placed on the religious profession is outrageous and will eventually take its toll. With this in mind, the purpose of this study was to determine the difference between the religious and non-religious profession concerning depression.

Methods

Subjects

Subjects The subjects used in this study were not randomly selected but rather chosen based on profession. Twenty-four males and 12 females participated in the non-religious group These subjects derived from St. Joseph, Missouri (a city located 50 miles north of Kansas City, with a population of approximately 80,000). The religious group was located in southern California (near the Pasadena area). There were ten male and 19 female subjects in this group. There was no preference regarding age of any subject.

Materials

Materials A depression scale created by a Missouri Western State College student (Corzine, 1996) was utilized to record the amount of depression and type of profession for the chosen groups. See Appendix for a copy of the collection sheet.

Procedure

The depression test was distributed out to both groups by faxing it to the subjects and delivering it by hand. They were either faxed or delivered back in order to analyze the data.

Results

A 2 x 2 factorial ANOVA was used to determine whether the level of depression of the subjects depended on the sex of the subjects or which religious group they were in. The main effect for level of religion was not significant (F (1, 61) = .285, p >.05). The mean score for the religious group was 31.25, whereas, the mean for the non-religious group was 29.76. The main effect for sex was not significant ([MW-SC1]F (1, 61) = .522, p>>.05). The mean score for the males was 30.43, while the females scored 30.59. The sex by level of religion interaction was not significant (F (1, 61) = .327, p >.05).

Discussion

While my results did not show any significance, other studies have demonstrated significant results regarding depression in the religious profession (Catipovic et al., 1995). Certain aspects of my study may have had an effect on the results. The different locations from which the two groups derived may have had an effect. The religious professionals residing in southern California may simply not be a reliable sample of the whole religious profession in this country. This could be true for the non-religious midwestern group as well. One way to improve this study would be to randomly select subjects from similar locations and use a standardized depression test to gather the data. Directions for future research could be to compare depression among the different religions or to compare different non-religious groups with each other.

References

Catipovic, K. V., Ilakovac, V., Durjancek, J., Amidzc, V., et al (1995). Relationship of eight basic emotions with age, sex, education, satisfaction of life needs, and religion. Psychology Reports,77,115-121.

Corzine, D. (1996). Corzine depression scale. Missouri Western State College, St. Joseph Missouri.

Rayburn, C. A. (1991). Counseling depressed female religious professionals: Nuns and clergywomen. Counseling Values, 35, 136-148.

Slawson, P. F (1973). Treatment of a clergyman: Anxiety neurosis in a celibate. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 27, 52-60.

Spinney, D. H. (1991). How do fundamental christians deal with depression? Counseling Values, 35, 114-127.

Appendix

Corzine Depression Scale


PLEASE CIRCLE THE RESPONSE YOU FEEL IS MOST APPROPRIATE FOR YOU AT THIS TIME.  THANK YOU!
1.	I feel unhappy a lot.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
2.	I don't feel like doing my usual activities.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
	3.	My weight has gone up ten pounds recently.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
	4.	I sleep too much to accomplish my work for the day.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
	5.	I have trouble going to sleep and staying asleep.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
	6.	I have trouble sitting still.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
	7.	I feel like I'm moving in slow motion.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
	8.	I frequently have no energy.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
	9.	I feel like nothing I do matters.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
	10.	I often have trouble concentrating.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
	11.	When things get really bad I think of suicide.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
	12.	My weight has gone down ten pounds recently.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
	13.	I have trouble staying asleep.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
	14.	I am often sad for seemingly no reason.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGREE
	15.	Nothing I do comes out as I expected.
STRONGLY AGREE   AGREE   UNDECIDED   DISAGREE   STRONGLY DISAGRE
	Please fill out the following information:
Gender     M          F 
Age_______________
Occupation______________________________________
Religious Preference_______________________________

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