The Effectiveness of RCBT in the Treatment of Depression among Clergy in Kenya

Abstract Mental health in the clergy is as crucial as it is for the general population, with studies indicating that clergy suffer from depression at rates higher than the general public, underlining the need for effective interventions (Eagle et al., 2019; Proeschold-Bell et al., 2013). Factors such as long working hours, inadequate pay, and feeling unprepared for their roles contribute to high depression rates among clergy (Krejcir, 2016). Many pastors internalize these challenges, leading to frustration and depression (Ruiz-Prada, 2021). Clergy often resort to spiritual coping mechanisms, including prayer and consulting senior pastors, rather than seeking professional mental health treatment. Hence, Religious Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (RCBT) could be more suitable for clergy despite limited research on its effectiveness. This study assessed the efficacy of RCBT in reducing depression among clergy in Kenya, using a quasi-experimental design with control and experimental groups, including pre- and post-tests. A sample of 123 clergy (26-65 years old, 88 males) from Love INC, Kenya, was screened for depression using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Of the 64 clergy who met the criteria for depressive symptoms, 52 were willing to undergo intervention, and 26 were randomly assigned to both the control and experimental arms. The experimental group received a 10-week, weekly RCBT intervention, while the control group received no treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results from an independent samples t-test showed a significant reduction in depression scores for the experimental group compared to the control group (t48 = -2.49, p = .016). The experimental group's mean depression scores decreased from 19.96 (SD = 6.57) at baseline to 12.20 (SD = 6.42) at the study's end, while the control group’s scores remained nearly unchanged. The large effect size at the end of the study (Cohen's d = -.703) demonstrated RCBT’s effectiveness in alleviating depression symptoms. These findings suggest RCBT could be an effective mental health intervention for clergy and encourage further research into its application for other mental health conditions within this group. It also promotes awareness that religious leaders can seek help for depression while maintaining their faith.