Religious Activity and Pastoral Counseling Among Protestant Youth with SED

Abstract

The past decade has shown a surge of interest in faith-based resources for a variety of social problems. However, these resources have not been systematically studied for children with emotional and behavioral problems. We investigated religious activity and use of pastoral counseling among Protestant youth with serious emotional disorders (SED) (N = 464) and examined associated youth and caregiver characteristics. Findings indicate that the majority of SED youth do participate in religious activities, but do not frequently receive pastoral counseling for their problems. Youth with fewer externalizing problems as well as minority youth had an increased likelihood of participation in religious activities, while youth with more psychosocial impairment had an increased likelihood of using pastoral counseling. Implications of this study for research and practice are discussed.The past decade has shown a surge of interest in faith-based resources for a variety of social problems. In fact, mental health services research acknowledging faith-based organizations and churches is becoming more popular since President Bush introduced his Faith-Based and Community Initiative in 2001. There is a long tradition investigating the psychology of religion, as well as religious psychology (Argyle, 2000). This attention does not seem misplaced given that 95% of American teenagers believe in God, 93% believe that God loves them, 93% are affiliated with a religious organization or denomination, and 80% think

Search for Spiritual Assistance in Religious Organizations: What Are the Motives of Persons Who Have Experienced Destructive Relationships at Work?

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“You can talk to them. You can pray”: Rural clergy responses to adolescents with mental health concerns.

“…In one study that took place in two southeastern states, three quarters of the children and youth with serious mental health problems were reported by their parents to attend church at least monthly. Only a low number received any direct services through their church like pastoral counseling, however (Pinkard & Heflinger, 2006).…”