Citation

Zhang J, Zhao S, Liu J. Int. J. Sch. Cogn. Psychol. 2017; 4(4): 1-7.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, OMICS International)

DOI

10.4172/2469-9837.1000200

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Although there has been an increase in China's religious population in the past few decades, less than 15% of Chinese claim to belong to a religious group. In such a context, the association between religion or religiosity and mental health may be insignificant or even negative. Data from a 5-year panel study of college students (N=5,860) were used to examine the predictors for religiosity among Chinese college students and religion's effect on their mental health outcomes. The current study found that ethnic minority students, those with siblings, and those who are non-Communist Party members have a higher proportion than other groups among religious believers. While religious believers tended to have higher self-esteem and social support than non-believers, they were more likely to feel depressed and think about suicide.

Keywords: Religion; College students; Depression; Social support; Suicidal ideation

Language: en