(PS10-35) Religious Struggles and Depression

Abstract Text:

Background: Religious and spiritual (r/s) struggles can significantly impact mental health, yet their role in the relationship between trauma exposure, PTSD, and depression in emerging and young adults (EYA) remains underexplored.

Purpose: The study examined the mediating effects of r/s struggles and posttraumatic cognitions on trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and depression in trauma-exposed EYA (ages 18-35).

Methods: Cross-sectional data was collected from 347 EYA participants via REDCap from colleges, mental health agencies, and social media. Trauma exposure was measured with the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) questionnaire and the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ). PTSD symptoms were assessed with the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and depression severity with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). R/s struggles were measured with the Religious and Spiritual Struggles Scale (RSS-14) and posttraumatic cognitions with the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory-9 (PTCI-9).

Results: Mediation analysis showed that r/s struggles and posttraumatic cognitions significantly mediated the relationship between trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms (b = 0.45, SE = 0.10, p < 0.01) as well as depression (b = 0.65, SE = 0.08, p < 0.01), accounting for 64% of PTSD symptom variance and 65% of depression variance. Similarly, r/s struggles and posttraumatic cognitions were partial mediators between 1) ACEs and depression; 2) ACEs and PTSD symptoms.

Conclusions: The findings underscore the need for mental health interventions that integrate spiritual concerns alongside cognitive approaches to better support EYA experiencing trauma-related distress.