A recent study led by Justin Dyer, a professor at Brigham Young University (BYU), investigates the relationship between religious practices, particularly temple attendance, and mental health outcomes among Latter-day Saint (LDS) youth and young adults. The findings suggest a significant correlation between temple attendance and improved mental health, highlighting a potential avenue for support in addressing issues like depression and anxiety.
Study Overview
Professor Dyer, who teaches religious education and graduate statistics at BYU, initiated a long-term study in 2016 involving over 1,000 participants aged 12 to 20 from Arizona and Utah. This group included Latter-day Saints as well as individuals from other religious backgrounds. The primary focus of the research was to examine how various aspects of religion, family dynamics, and mental health interrelate.
Key Findings
Correlation Between Temple Attendance and Mental Health
The study revealed that youth who attended the temple regularly showed lower levels of depression and anxiety. Specifically, temple attendance at age 16 was associated with reduced depression levels by age 18.
Character Traits and Attendance
Dyer’s research also highlighted that youth with positive character traits, such as honesty and humility, were more likely to increase their temple attendance between the ages of 14 and 16.
Cultural Context of Mental Health
Dyer references studies by other researchers, like Tyler VanderWeele from Harvard, who suggest that the rise in suicide rates in society may be connected to a decrease in church attendance. He pointed out that as religiosity declines, mental health issues appear to escalate.
The Role of the Temple
Dyer emphasizes the temple’s purpose in fostering community and personal growth. He notes that the temple serves to build eternal families and worship God, which he believes is crucial for mental well-being.
Service to Others:
He asserts that the temple provides a unique environment for serving others, reflecting the scriptural counsel to “bear one another’s burdens” (Mosiah 18). Engaging in selfless service can greatly enhance mental health by fostering social connections and a sense of purpose.
Balanced Perspective on Temple Worship:
While acknowledging the benefits of temple attendance, Dyer cautions against viewing it as a guaranteed solution for mental illness. He likens it to exercise—beneficial for mental health, but not a cure-all. “Exercise is really good for mental health, but if somebody says, ‘I’m going to exercise, and my depression is going to disappear,’ that’s not necessarily the case,” he explains.
Impact on Church Activity
The research also explored the connection between temple attendance and long-term activity within the LDS Church. Dyer found that early participation in temple worship correlated with higher likelihoods of continued church membership and activity, including receiving endowments.
Beliefs and Practices:
He identified core beliefs in the Restoration, the Book of Mormon, and modern prophets as significant factors influencing temple attendance and overall engagement with the Church.
Scripture Study as a Predictor:
Additionally, the study found that young men and women who engage in scripture study during their early teens are more likely to increase their temple attendance in later years. Dyer reported that 55% of daily scripture readers received their endowment, compared to only 11% of those who hadn’t read scriptures in the past year.
Conclusion
Dyer concludes that while there is no single solution to mental health challenges, the findings of this study suggest that temple attendance can play a valuable role in promoting mental well-being among youth. He emphasizes the importance of family in instilling the value of scripture study early on, which can later influence positive behaviors, including increased temple attendance.
President Russell M. Nelson’s teachings further support the study’s conclusions, with the leader encouraging regular temple worship as a pathway to accessing divine blessings. Dyer’s research ultimately provides a foundation for understanding the intricate connections between faith practices, mental health, and community support within the context of Latter-day Saint beliefs.
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