Religion and Depression in Adolescence

Jane Fruehwirth, Sriya Iyer and Anwen Zhang

Journal of Political Economy, 2019, vol. 127, issue 3, 1178 - 1209

Abstract: Depression is the leading cause of illness and disability in adolescence. Many studies show a correlation between religiosity and mental health, yet the question remains whether the relationship is causal. We exploit within-school variation in adolescents’ peers to deal with selection into religiosity. We find robust effects of religiosity on depression that are stronger for the most depressed. These effects are not driven by the school social context; depression spreads among close friends rather than through broader peer groups that affect religiosity. Exploration of mechanisms suggests that religiosity buffers against stressors in ways in which school activities and friendships do not.

Date: 2019
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Related works:
Working Paper: Religion and Depression in Adolescence (2016)
Working Paper: Religion and Depression in Adolescence (2016)
Working Paper: Religion and Depression in Adolescence (2016)
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