Spirituality and religious participation in the prevention and management of depression and anxiety in young people 

Background and aims

Spirituality and religion are an integral part of life for young people in many countries. As young people move through adolescence, the personal meaning of religiosity and spirituality may become more important. This is also often the time when common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety first occur. Scientific studies in adults have shown that religion and spirituality may protect against depression and anxiety. Given the relevance of religiosity and spirituality in the lives of a large number of young people, especially those living in low- and middle- income countries, we aimed to investigate if spirituality and religious involvement help prevent or manage depression and anxiety in young people and if so, how do these associations operate.

Collaborators

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute: Dr Shilpa Aggarwal (Lead), Ella Cehun (Research assistant), Prof George Patton

University of Melbourne: Judith Wright (Research assistant), Prof Nicola Reavley

Funding

Wellcome Trust Mental Health 'Active Ingredients' 2021 commission

https://wellcome.org/what-we-do/mental-health/projects/anxiety-depression-young-people-finding-next-generation-treatments

Key outputs

Further information

For further information please contact Dr Shilpa Aggarwal shilpa.aggarwal@mcri.edu.au