People who go to church regularly and generally follow the requirements of religion are generally more optimistic and less at risk of depression than non-religious people, according to a new US scientific study.
The study confirms previous research, which has also concluded that participation in ecclesiastical and religious events in general promotes both psychological and physical health, increasing life expectancy.
This is probably because religion has the ability to reduce the stress of everyday life, to give meaning to life, and to suppress harmful habits.
The researchers, led by Eliezer Snal, a professor of clinical psychology at Gesiva University in New York, published the study in the Journal of Religion and Health, according to Reuters.
Or in another place of worship of their own religion (mosque, synagogue, etc.) more than once a week, were 56% more likely to be above average on the scale of optimism, than those who are indifferent to worship and religious rituals.
Also, the most regularly religious were 22% less likely to experience depression.
However, the researchers clarified that it does not mean that because someone will start going to church often, his life will necessarily become “bright”.
“There is a correlation, but that does not mean there is a causal relationship,” Snal said.
“One could argue that in general the most optimistic people are those who are attracted to religion. It is not necessary that someone who goes to the church service, will definitely become more optimistic, there is only the possibility of this happening “.
On the other hand, the researchers clarified that their research focused on older women, so the same may not be true for men or younger people in general. Previous studies have shown that older women involved in ecclesiastical affairs have the most to gain from this activity.
A previous study, also by Snaul and the same group of women, in 2008, found that those who attended church regularly had a 20% reduced risk of death over the next eight years.
The two studies, the oldest and most recent, involved nearly 93,000 women aged 50-79 in the United States, of whom 14% went to church more than once a week, 30% once an average, 21% less than once a week and 34% at all or almost not at all.
The researchers did not find a correlation between the frequency of church visits and the degree of mental health, ie it does not seem that, as the “dosage” of religion increases, the mental mood of the church attendant improves proportionally.
It is more likely, according to Snal, that regular participation in religious events is enough to encourage a positive attitude and a greater calm, while there are positive effects on physical health, as those who are regularly religious, tend to smoke and drink less, go to doctors more often and generally follow a healthier lifestyle.
