Psychopathology and Religious Commitment – A Controlled Study

Abstract

The relationship between psychopathology and religious commitment was explored in a group of psychiatric patients (n = 44) with depression, anxiety disorders and personality disorders, compared with a control group of healthy subjects (n = 45). Neuroticism and the degree of religious involvement were measured in all probands. The findings did not show any correlation between neuroticism and religiosity. While life satisfaction was negatively correlated with neuroticism, there was a significantly positive correlation with religious commitment. Anxiety concerning sexuality, superego conflicts and childhood fears of God was primarily associated with neuroticism and not with religious commitment. The findings support the clinical observations that the primary factor in explaining neurotic functioning in religious patients is not their personal religious commitment but their underlying psychopathology.