Religion and Depression in Adolescence

Jane Fruehwirth, Sriya Iyer and Anwen Zhang

No 2016-007, Working Papers from Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group

Abstract: The probability of being depressed increases dramatically during adolescence and is linked to a range of adverse outcomes. Many studies show a correlation between religiosity and mental health, yet the question remains whether the link is causal. The key issue is selection into religiosity. We exploit plausibly random variation in adolescents' peers to shift religiosity independently of individual-level unobservables that might affect depression, and show conditions such that an individual effect of religiosity is separated from the potential direct effect of peers. Using a nationally representative sample of adolescents in the US, we find robust effects of religiosity on depression, that are particularly strong for the most depressed. We demonstrate that these effects are not driven by the school social context. We find that religiosity buffers against stressors, possibly through improved psychological resources and religion-based support structures. This has implications especially for effective mental health policy.

Keywords: depression; religion; mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 Z12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016-03
Note: IP, HI
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
http://humcap.uchicago.edu/RePEc/hka/wpaper/fruehw ... igion-depression.pdf First version, February 2016 (application/pdf)

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