Psychology of Religion

For some evangelical Christians, attributing mental illness to demonic forces can offer a sense of meaning, while for others, it creates harmful barriers to medical care. A recent study outlines how spiritual explanations impact mental health outcomes.

Parents who perceive their child-rearing duties as sacred tend to report higher levels of happiness. A recent sociological study highlights how different internal images of God can subtly amplify or diminish this sense of fulfillment.

A new psychological study reveals how specific childhood experiences and inherent personality traits predict whether adults will use scientific evidence or religious faith to make sense of the world around them.

Young adults often question their faith when they see religious intolerance. A recent study shows that while these doubts can cause anxiety, they also encourage a flexible, open-minded search for meaning and greater intellectual humility.

A recent study published in the Archive for the Psychology of Religion suggests that feeling a deep spiritual connection to a specific physical location is associated with better mental health, especially when people struggle with feelings of insignificance.

A new study suggests religion boosts mental health by building gratitude and social support. Researchers analyzing U.S. data found these two factors fully explain the link between faith and reduced depression and stress.

A seven-year analysis suggests that attending religious services is associated with higher psychological well-being, which tracks with lower rates of depression and anxiety among older adults.

Psychologists have found that highly religious people are more likely to experience mixed emotions than non-believers. This phenomenon appears to stem from a specific blend of comfort and fear regarding divine judgment.

New research finds that parents who want teachers to lead prayer are more likely to support arming school staff. The study suggests a cultural link between religious expression and gun-based security measures.

New research in Religion, Brain & Behavior suggests that mystical beliefs like karma predict a more meaningful life. This explains why "spiritual but not religious" individuals report more meaning than non-believers.

A new study challenges the straightforward link between faith and ethical behavior at work. It reveals that an employee's internal spiritual connection and their company’s culture are critical pieces of a more complex puzzle.

As more people in the United States and elsewhere leave their religious faith, a key question emerges: Do their political views change as well? A new multi-part study provides insight into the political transformations that can accompany religious de-identification.

The long-term health effects of a religious childhood are not uniform, a new study of older Europeans finds. On average, the experience is linked to poorer self-rated health, though the association differs across health domains.

New research in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion finds evangelical megachurch pastors use sermons to justify inequality, framing wealth as morally neutral, minimizing domestic poverty through global comparisons, and interpreting biblical references to the poor as spiritual...

A new study reports that dreams featuring supernatural events can influence a person’s daily feelings of closeness to God. Published in Frontiers in Psychology, the research shows this effect can be delayed by several days.