Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

 

Religion helps workers cope with stress

 

New study suggests that employees who are more actively religious are more likely to report low levels of anxiety, depression and fatigue - and feel that their lives have meaning


New psychological research suggests that employees who are more actively religious are better able to cope with stress and are more likely to report that their lives have meaning.

BusinessmenThese are the key findings of a study presented on Thursday (9 January) at the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Occupational Psychology in Brighton.

Dr Roxane Gervais undertook her research with full-time employees in the Caribbean, who were young, largely female and more likely to be single than married. She used a number of measures including job satisfaction, religiosity and well-being.

The study concluded that employees who are more actively religious are more likely to report low levels of anxiety, depression and fatigue and also 'higher presence of meaning in life': in other words, feeling that their lives have meaning.

The workers responded that attending religious services connects them to a higher being, as well as makes them feel better about themselves.

Dr Gervais said, 'As the pace of work and life accelerates, people long for meaning, and the younger generation in particular is looking for more than just a big pay cheque at the end of the month.

'My research shows that religiosity in the workplace may act as a resource, making people more resilient to cope with the many challenges of working life. Such personal beliefs could be very helpful not only for employees, but also for employers providing people with a buffer zone.

'We should hence encourage employers to accommodate, where possible, employees’ religious beliefs while at work, and not shy away from the issue.'
Picture: Julos/RGB stock
 
Baptist Times, 09/01/2014
    Post     Tweet
‘We can choose to tell a new story – one of gracious growth’
​General Secretary Lynn Green urged Baptists to embrace a story of hope and renewal rather than decline in her closing address at the Baptist Assembly
'God's Baptist people are in good heart' - Steve Finamore's reflections
Outgoing Baptists Together President Steve Finamore shared encouraging signs of church growth and renewed hope across Baptist networks
More than 60 ministers and pastors commissioned at Baptist Assembly
Ministers who have transferred to the fully accredited list, nationally recognised pastors and recognised local ministers were commissioned and prayed, in a session which also featured the In Memoriam
Mission Resolution introduced at Assembly
Designed to build a shared understanding of mission across Baptists Together, this marks the beginning of a two-year process of discernment, dialogue, and engagement, with the goal of the resolution being adopted at the 2027 Baptist Assembly
'We thank God for all the ways that he is graciously at work in and through us'
General Secretary Lynn Green celebrated the power of collaboration across Baptists Together in sharing three highlights from the past year
'Every fellowship is a disciple making environment'
A mission conference led by BMS World Mission formed the first 24 hours of the Baptist Assembly weekend
     Latest News 
    Posted: 21/05/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast