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EFFECTS OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS' EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT ON ENCOURAGEMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Abstract

This study investigates religious leaders’ perspectives on mental health. Religious leaders are often viewed as people who can help support the well-being of others. However, religious leaders are not mental health professionals and are not trained to treat mental health issues. Previous research shows that mental health is a topic seldom spoken about by religious leaders, and this can affect their congregation’s view on mental health. Theological training encourages religious leaders to incorporate religion into their everyday lives. A secondary data analysis of the National Survey of Religious Leaders (NSRL, Duke University), tested whether the religious training clergy received influenced their likelihood of guiding others to seek mental health services and whether they have actually encouraged others to seek mental health services in the past twelve months. The survey consists of primary and secondary leaders of religious congregations. An independent samples t-test (variances not assumed to be equal) determined there was a significant difference between those who have and have not received religious training on their likelihood (intentions) to encourage others to seek mental health services, (t(931.32)= 2.95, p=.003). Those with religious training were more likely to say they would refer someone to formal mental health services (M = 3.73, SD = .60) than those without (M = 3.63, SD = .67). There was also a significant difference between these groups in how often they have in the past 12 months encouraged others to seek mental health services, (t(1535)= -6.27, p<.001). Clergy with training were more likely to have referred others to mental health services (M = 2.92, SD = .19) than those without religious training (M = 2.52, SD = .20). Implications will be discussed, including how religious training is related to how clergy approach mental health issues with their congregation members.

Acknowledgements

Spelman College Psychology Department

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