The role of religious behaviour in adolescent depressive and anxious symptomatology

Previous research, conducted primarily with adults, suggests that religious behaviour is associated with improved mental health. This study expanded extant literature to determine whether a similar relationship exists among adolescents. Participants completed the Religious Behaviour Questionnaire, the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale. Results indicated that more frequent religious behaviour and a greater desire to participate in religious activities were associated with lower scores on the CDI. Clinical and educational implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright 2002 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.