Mental Health and Religiosity: The Role of Experiential Avoidance in the Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

Fuentes-Ferrada, R. ; Bacigalupe, L.D. ; Ordóñez-Carrasco, J.L. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Munzenmayer, M. ; Navarro, M.A. ; Escobar, M.J. ; Cárdenas, J. ; Langer, A.I.

Resumen: Several studies have considered religiosity to be a protective factor against several mental health difficulties. However, other studies suggest the opposite, that is, that religiosity is a risk factor associated with psychological symptoms. In this context, there are no studies that evaluate this relationship considering the role of experiential avoidance, which is a predictive transdiagnostic variable of various mental health disorders. This study evaluated the relationship between experiential avoidance, attitudes toward religion, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in a sample of believers using a non-experimental cross-sectional design in the city of Valdivia, Chile. Results indicate that experiential avoidance is positively related to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, being the only predictor variable of the three symptomatic dimensions. Engaging in regular religious practice was not associated with religious literalness or experiential avoidance, while religious literalism was negatively associated with stress. Finally, Evangelicals showed a more regular religious practice than Catholics, while Catholics showed a higher index of religious literality; however, these differences were not associated with mental health. The clinical implications of these results are discussed

Idioma: Inglés

Año: 2023

Publicado en: Revista internacional de psicología y terapia psicológica = International journal of psychology and psychological therapy 23, 1 (2023), 43-55
ISSN: 1577-7057

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 1.3 - Clinical Psychology (Q3) - Experimental and Cognitive Psychology (Q4) - Developmental and Educational Psychology (Q4)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.251 - Clinical Psychology (Q3) - Experimental and Cognitive Psychology (Q4) - Developmental and Educational Psychology (Q4)

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Metod.Ciencias Comportam. (Dpto. Psicología y Sociología)