FREQUÊNCIA INSTITUCIONAL RELIGIOSA COMO ATIVIDADE ESSENCIAL: UMA INVESTIGAÇÃO SOBRE SAÚDE MENTAL E RELIGIOSIDADE ORGANIZACIONAL

Abstract

The present study sought to explore and investigate the possible relationships between institutional religious attendance and mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic. A quantitative, transversal and descriptive-correlational research methodology was conducted with volunteers who answered an online form. The number of respondents analyzed was 224, among these 58% Catholics and 42% Evangelicals. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was a predictor of “attending less to a religious institution during the pandemic” (OR 2.5). Greater symptoms of anxiety were reported in females, younger people, Catholics and respondents who reported a lower feeling of closeness to God and lower maintenance of religious practices during the pandemic. A higher rate of Organizational (OR) and Non-Organizational (NOR) Religiosity was observed among Evangelicals and high IR (Intrinsic Religiosity) for Evangelicals and Catholics. Among men and among evangelicals, higher attendances to religious institutions were associated with lower levels of anxiety. Higher education level was associated with lower anxiety symptoms and lower religious attendance. Influences of doctrinal aspects of the Protestant Reformation may have been an influencing factor for the differences observed in the indices of religiosity between Catholics and Evangelicals. Our data emphasize the role of religious institutions to the psycho emotional support of the congregants. The understanding of mental health and associated factors is complex. The present study highlights this complexity and reinforces the importance of further studies.