There is little question that the coronavirus pandemic took an emotional toll on nearly everybody across the world. The University of Cambridge reports on two studies from the U.S. and the UK about how people responded mentally to lockdowns, infection, and the infection of close friends and family:
University of Cambridge economists argue that—taken together—these studies show that religion may act as a bulwark against increased distress and reduced wellbeing during times of crisis, such as a global public-health emergency.
“Selection biases make the wellbeing effects of religion difficult to study,” said Professor Shaun Larcom from Cambridge’s Department of Land Economy, and co-author of the latest study. . . . “However, the COVID-19 pandemic was an extraordinary event affecting everyone at around the same time, so we could gauge the impact of a negative shock to wellbeing right across society.”
“The study suggests that it is not just being religious, but the intensity of religiosity that is important when coping with a crisis,” said Larcom.
There was little overall difference among Christians, Muslims, and Hindus—followers of the three biggest religions in the UK.
Read more on University of Cambridge: https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/religious-people-coped-better-with-covid-19-pandemic-research-suggests