The relationship between levels of religiosity and depression among Ethiopian Orthodox Christians: the case of some selected churches in Addis Ababa
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Date
2026-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This research investigated the relationship between levels of religiosity and depression among Ethiopian Orthodox Christians in selected churches in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Utilizing a mixed-methods design, the study integrated quantitative data from 409 respondents with qualitative narratives from purposively selected interview participants until data saturation was reached. Quantitative measures employed the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL) and the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), whereas qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through thematic analysis to capture the lived experiences of believers. Using cutoff scores established through the equal interval method, participants demonstrated an overall High level of religiosity (75.4%) and a Moderate level of depression (47.3%). The findings revealed significant negative correlations between all three dimensions of religiosity and depression symptoms. Partial regression analysis further confirmed that religiosity, taken together, was a significant predictor of depression, accounting for 14.0% of the variance in depression symptoms (R² = .140, p < .001). Beyond these direct relationships, social cohesion, personal meaning and stability, and participants' theological orientation (encompassing their image of God and faith-based coping) emerged as important parallel mediating factors, with personal meaning and stability showing a particularly strong association with psychological resilience, which fully explained the mechanisms through which the protective relationship between religiosity and depression operates. The interview results showed that religiosity provided emotional support to manage depression through the practice of Kidassie (Liturgy), private prayer, and the use of Tsebel (Holy Water), which served as self-directed therapeutic tools. Participants further described the church community as a source of comfort, belonging, and practical assistance during periods of psychological distress, reinforcing the quantitative finding that organizational religious participation carries strong protective value. The study concluded that the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church serves as a vital coping resource for people navigating the stresses of urban life, functioning much like a support system that protects individuals from the mental health effects of financial and social struggle. Recommendations are provided for integrating spiritual assets into clinical counseling and enhancing the mental health literacy of clergy members.
Keywords: Religiosity, Depression, Organizational religiosity , Non- organizational religiosity, Intrinsic Religiosity
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Keywords
Religiosity, Depression, Organizational religiosity, Non- organizational religiosity, Intrinsic Religiosity