It boosts well-being.
A recent article in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion underscores the emotional benefits linked to regular church attendance. Titled “See You Sunday? Effects of Attending a Specific Weekend Religious Service on Emotional Well-Being: A State/Trait Analysis of the SoulPulse Study,” the research reveals that frequent churchgoers experience enhanced emotional well-being. Participants who regularly attended services reported a rise in positive emotions and a decline in negative ones. In contrast, those who attended less often did not show notable changes in their emotional states.
The study drew from data provided by 2,869 U.S. adults, who used smartphones to complete daily surveys over a two-week period, including a Sunday night check-in on their church attendance. This methodology allowed researchers to examine the immediate emotional effects of attending religious services.
Blake Victor Kent, the lead researcher, highlighted that this approach enabled two critical comparisons: it assessed the emotional outcomes of attending church that weekend versus not attending, and among attendees, it compared the effects on regular versus occasional churchgoers. The findings indicated that significant emotional benefits were linked to regular attendance.
Kent attributed these results to the sense of familiarity and community that regular churchgoers develop, which enhances emotional engagement. Without consistent attendance, individuals may not establish a strong connection, thereby diminishing the potential emotional impact of their visits.
The study also aligns with broader trends in religious affiliation. Lifeway Research notes that fewer than half of Americans are formally connected to a church, and the number of Protestant churches is decreasing. In 2019, prior to the pandemic-induced closures of 2020, there were 3,000 new Protestant churches opened, but 4,500 closed during the same period.