How the Science–Religion Interface of Christian Religious Leaders Shape Their Perceptions of Depression

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between Christian religious leaders’ beliefs about the science and religion interface and their understanding of the causes and treatments for depression. We focus on Christian religious leaders because they often serve as first responders for congregants seeking help with mental health issues and are influential figures in maintaining the authority of religious institutions. Previous research has neglected the role of religious leaders’ perceptions of the science–religion relationship in shaping their views on mental health. Relying on responses from approximately 1200 Christian religious leaders from the National Survey of Religious Leaders in the United States, this study adopts ordinal logistic regression to examine how epistemological conflict, epistemic openness, and views of institutional conflict shape religious leaders’ interpretations of and treatments for depression. This study contributes to knowledge of science and religion, religious leaders, and mental health in the United States.

Keywords

• religious leaders
• congregations
• mental health