A deeper analysis of data on mental illness reportedly shows that religious people are less likely to report having mental health conditions than non-religious people.
The 2020 Pew research data initially used to study the startling rise in mental illness among teens found that non-religious people were 14% more likely to have a mental illness than weekly churchgoers, according to Eastern Illinois University Professor Ryan Burge, who specializes in researching the intersection between religiosity and political behavior.
Among liberals who never attended a religious service, 28% told the survey they had been diagnosed with a mental health condition. When liberals participate in weekly church services, the percentage presenting with mental illness drops 14 points, according to Burge.
“I downloaded the data that @JonHaidt uses here to see if religion is moderating the likelihood of reporting mental illness. A never church-attending liberal is nearly 2x as likely to report mental illness compared to a never attending conservative (28% vs 15%),” Burge said.
And here’s the religious belonging question.
I made it very simple: do you ID as atheist/agnostic/nothing in particular or with a religious tradition?
Nones are more likely to report mental illness compared to religious folks, regardless of ideology. pic.twitter.com/1o2fqHCpp6
— Ryan Burge 📊 (@ryanburge) March 14, 2023
Only 12% of religious Conservatives have a diagnosed mental illness, whereas 31% of liberals with no religion report having a mental health condition, according to the data. (RELATED: How Silicon Valley Bank’s Wild Implosion Will Set Off A Financial Firestorm)
“This survey was fielded during early lockdown in 2020. Liberals were significantly more likely to feel nervous than conservatives. Attendance had a moderating effect for both. Smaller gaps on lonely or depressed. Again, attendance predicts lower levels of both, though,” Burge continued.
This survey was fielded during early lockdown in 2020.
Liberals were significantly more likely to feel nervous than conservatives. Attendance had a moderating effect for both.
Smaller gaps on lonely or depressed.
Again, attendance predicts lower levels of both, though. pic.twitter.com/y69yTTB9bW
— Ryan Burge 📊 (@ryanburge) March 14, 2023
“I made it very simple: do you ID as atheist/agnostic/nothing in particular or with a religious tradition? Nones are more likely to report mental illness compared to religious folks, regardless of ideology,” he added.