Worldview may have more impact on mental health than chemical imbalances: study
September 30, 2024
A new study suggests that lack of a biblical worldview may have greater impact on mental health than more commonly cited causes like chemical imbalances.
The Christian Post reports that a study released last week by The Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, attributes mental health maladies like fear, anxiety and depression to what researcher George Barna calls “worldview deficiencies” rather than “psychological or chemical imbalances.”
Researchers interviewed 2,000 U.S. adults over the age of 18 in January of 2024.
Among the report’s findings, younger generations are experiencing mental health challenges at higher rates than previous generations with 1 in 3 adult Millennials or members of Gen Z having at least one diagnosable mental disorder.
According to the Christian Post, Barna says just 1% of Generation Z and only 2% of Millenials have a biblical worldview which the Cultural Research Center defines as, “a means of experiencing, interpreting, and responding to reality in light of biblical perspectives.”
Barna added that it’s, “not uncommon to find a young adult who trusts feelings more than facts, sees no inherent value to life, believes in Karma, and rejects the existence of the biblical God.”
He explained, “Add to this a lack of any sense of purpose or meaning, and the idea that truth is subjective. This common set of components results in a lifestyle that is inconsistent, chaotic, frustrating, and lacking hope. Anxiety, depression, and fear are virtually inescapable in such a life.”
Barna listed several beliefs that he says contribute to mental unrest among young people, including rejecting God and a belief that life lacks a clear purpose.
Barna also noted that, “Without a solid foundation of truth, their lives become inconsistent and chaotic,” emphasizing that “the biblical worldview, by contrast, provides a framework that fosters emotional stability.”
Photo: top, Credit: Unsplash-Yuris Alhumaydy