Relationship between religiosity, religious coping and socio-demographic variables among out-patients with depression or diabetes mellitus in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Religion is a powerful coping strategy. Diabetes and depression are common conditions in our environment that induce psychological distress, thus requiring coping for better outcome. Studies indicate that increased religiosity is associated with better outcome in clinical and general populations. Therefore, studies of the distribution of religiosity and religious coping among these populations are essential to improve outcome. Objectives: To assess the association between religiosity, religious coping in depression and diabetes mellitus, and selected sociodemographic variables (age, gender and occupational status). Methods: Using simple random sampling we recruited 112 participants with diabetes and an equal number with depression consecutively, matching for gender. Religiosity was determined using religious orientation scale (revised), religious coping with brief religious coping scale and socio-demographic variables with a socio-demographic questionnaire. Results: Intrinsic religiosity was greater among older people with depression than among older people with diabetes(t=5.02,p<0.001); no significant difference among young people with depression and diabetes(t=1.47,p=0.15).Positive religious coping was greater among older people with depression than among older people with diabetes(t=2.31,p=0.02); no difference among young people with depression and diabetes(t=0.80,p=0.43). Females with depression had higher intrinsic religiosity scores than males with depression(t=3.85,p<0.001); no difference in intrinsic religiosity between females and males with diabetes(t=0.99,p=0.32).Positive religious coping was greater among participants with diabetes in the low occupational status(t=2.96,p<0.001) than those in the high occupational status. Conclusion: Religion is indeed a reliable coping method, most commonly used by the elderly and females with depression. Positive religious coping is more common among diabetic patients who are in the low occupational status.

Religious coping in the time of COVID-19 Pandemic in India and Nigeria: Finding of a cross-national community survey

“…It was found that older people with depression often have positive religious coping. Similarly, individuals from low socioeconomic status with diabetes have higher positive religious coping compared to individuals from higher socio-economic status (Amadi et al, 2016). These findings indicate that religious coping is primarily influenced by several socio-demographic characteristics.…”

Social Support, Religiosity, and Health Literacy as Predictors of Resilience in Pregnant Women during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…It is believed that religious activities can promote the adaptability of individuals (including pregnant women) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple studies have emphasized the role of religiosity in coping, which may affect the outcome of physical and mental illness (Amadi et al, 2016). One of the crucial things that should be achieved during the pandemic is that people should get well information about the pandemic and health.…”

How Does Religious Commitment Affect Satisfaction with Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic? Examining Depression, Anxiety, and Stress as Mediators

“…As a result, it was understood that those who reported that their families were infected with COVID-19 also reported high religiosity by attending religious meetings and praying (Molteni et al 2021). Studies have shown improvements in spiritual and religious coping to lower anxiety, depression, and stress (Amadi et al 2016;Li and Shun 2016). Additionally, religious coping provokes cognitive capacities, adjustment to the disease, happiness, and quality of living (Joshanloo and Weijers 2016).…”