Religious participation as a predictor of mental health status and treatment outcomes in older persons

Abstract

Objectives: This study focuses on examining the relations of religious participation and affiliation to mental health status among older primary care patients, and to the use and clinical outcomes of mental health services.

Methods: A sample of older adults participating in a clinical study (PRISM-E) to treat their depression with or without co-morbid anxiety (n = 1610) were queried about their religious affiliation and the frequency of their participation in religious activities. The diagnoses of depressive and anxiety disorders were made based on the MINI-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Severity of depressive disorders was assessed by emotional distress using the CES-D.

Results: Those attending religious activities on a weekly, monthly, or occasional basis were significantly less likely to have suicidal ideation (p < 0.02) and emotional distress (p < 0.0001) than those who never participated or participated on a less frequent basis. Frequency of religious participation was not associated with mental health service utilization (p = 0.16), but it was predictive of a lower CES-D score at the end of the study intervention (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Religious participation is positively associated with older adults' mental health status and treatment effects, but results regarding mental health service utilization were inconclusive.