Study shows children of religious mothers less depressed

UMNS -- Children with mothers who are religiously committed are less likely to suffer from depression later in life, a new study has found. Researchers at Columbia University and the National Institute for Healthcare Research followed 60 mothers and 151 children for more than 10 years to determine if any relationship existed between a mother's religious commitment and depression in her children.

The results revealed that daughters - but not sons - of women who considered religion highly important were 60 percent less likely to have a major depressive disorder at the 10-year follow-up.

A second discovery centered around how much children embraced their mother's religion. Results showed that when mother and child belonged to the same religious denomination, daughters were 71 percent less likely to suffer from major depression, while sons were 84 percent less likely.

This study is "remarkable because it is the first one to show a link between a parent's religiosity and the child's risk for depression," said David Larson, president of the National Institute for Healthcare Research.

The study also found that highly religious mothers were less likely to be depressed themselves. Women for whom religion was highly important were 81 percent less likely to have major depression at the 10-year follow-up.

The researchers cited several explanations that support their findings. Highly religious mothers were less likely to be divorced or exhibit poor social functioning, both of which can contribute to depression in children.

Information provided in this article is based on a news release from the National Institute of Healthcare Research, a Maryland organization that explores the connection between spirituality and health by collecting and analyzing data to make a difference in the perception of religion and medicine.

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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