Religiosity, Burnout, Depression, and Anxiety in a University Setting During COVID-19 in the USA: A Cross-Sectional Study

The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased psychological burdens in all age groups. Limited literature has examined the relationship between religiosity, burnout, and mental health. We examined the relationship of religiosity to burnout, depression, and anxiety in a university setting. A questionnaire was emailed to all faculty, staff, and students at a single, faith-based university in the USA between November 2021 and April 2022. The survey contained 3-validated scales: the 16-item Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), the 14-item Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HADS), and the 5-item Duke University Religion Index [which assesses organizational religious activity (ORA), non-organized religious activity (NORA), and intrinsic religiosity (IR)]. One hundred twenty-five questionnaires were completed by 17 faculty, 18 staff, and 90 students. The respondents' mean age was 30.0 (SD = 12.3) years, with 69% female. Prevalence of depression was 41% (HADS-depression ≥ 8), anxiety was 62% (HADS-anxiety ≥ 8), and total burnout was 53% (OLBI mean > 2.18). Sixty-one (49%) participants attended religious services once or more per week, and 46 (37%) spent time in private religious activities daily. The odds ratio (OR) with (95% confidence interval, CI) for ORA with depression was 0.67 (0.53-0.86) and with anxiety was 0.78 (0.61-0.99). The OR for NORA with depression was 0.78 (0.61-0.99) and with anxiety was 0.77 (0.61-0.99). The OR for IR with depression was 0.79 (0.70-0.91) and with anxiety was 0.83 (0.73-0.96). Burnout was associated with both depression (OR = 10.08, 95% CI = 2.23-45.70) and anxiety (OR = 11.53, 95% CI = 2.31-57.47). Our findings showed that over 40% of participants experienced clinically significant depression, 60% experienced anxiety, and over 50% experienced burnout. Religiosity was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety.