Religiosity, Spirituality, Mindfulness, and Mental Health in Social Work Students

Abstract

Social work education is a disequilibrating experience that is stressful. The literature identifies religiosity, spirituality, and mindfulness as potential resources for coping in the general population. The current study examines their relationship with depressive and anxiety symptoms in social work students. A total of 65 MSW students participated in a paper-pencil survey. Only half claimed a membership in an organized religion. On average, students endorsed spirituality and mindfulness more strongly than religiosity. While religiosity and spirituality were highly correlated, mindfulness was not. Using multivariate analysis, it was discovered that mindfulness significantly reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms while religious strain increased anxiety symptoms. Implications of study findings for social work education are discussed.