by Obianuju Mbah, Christian Today
A new study suggests that religion can play a significant role in shaping the mental health and emotional resilience of young people, particularly when it is expressed through positive coping practices.
The research, led by Dr Lydia Mannion of Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, examined how religious belief and practice intersect with psychological wellbeing among students.
Drawing on surveys and interviews with secondary school pupils across Ireland, the study highlights both the benefits and challenges associated with faith in young people’s lives.
Dr Mannion, writing in The Irish Catholic, said the research was inspired by recurring conversations with students about the factors influencing their mental health.
She explained that religion kept coming up as something meaningful to them, noting that relatively little research has explored this connection in the Irish context.
The first stage of the study gathered responses from more than 100 students in senior cycle classes.
Participants were asked about three areas: the extent of their religious belief, how they use religion to cope with difficulties, and their overall mental wellbeing.
While most students identified with a religious tradition – predominantly Catholicism (80) – not all (55) expressed belief in God, pointing to a growing distinction between religious identity and personal faith among young people.