Relationship between religiosity, religious coping and socio-demographic variables among out-patients with depression or diabetes mellitus in Enugu, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Religion is a powerful coping strategy. Diabetes and depression are common conditions in our environment that induce psychological distress, thus requiring coping for better outcome. Studies indicate that increased religiosity is associated with better outcome in clinical and general populations. Therefore, studies of the distribution of religiosity and religious coping among these populations are essential to improve outcome.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between religiosity, religious coping in depression and diabetes mellitus, and selected sociodemographic variables (age, gender and occupational status).


METHODS
Using simple random sampling we recruited 112 participants with diabetes and an equal number with depression consecutively, matching for gender. Religiosity was determined using religious orientation scale (revised), religious coping with brief religious coping scale and socio-demographic variables with a socio-demographic questionnaire.


RESULTS
Intrinsic religiosity was greater among older people with depression than among older people with diabetes(t=5.02,p<0.001); no significant difference among young people with depression and diabetes(t=1.47,p=0.15).Positive religious coping was greater among older people with depression than among older people with diabetes(t=2.31,p=0.02); no difference among young people with depression and diabetes(t=0.80,p=0.43). Females with depression had higher intrinsic religiosity scores than males with depression(t=3.85,p<0.001); no difference in intrinsic religiosity between females and males with diabetes(t=0.99,p=0.32).Positive religious coping was greater among participants with diabetes in the low occupational status(t=2.96,p<0.001) than those in the high occupational status.


CONCLUSIONS
Religion is indeed a reliable coping method, most commonly used by the elderly and females with depression. Positive religious coping is more common among diabetic patients who are in the low occupational status.
Department of Psychological Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Kennedy U
KU
Amadi
Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Richard
R
Uwakwe
Department of Psychological Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Appolos C
AC
Ndukuba
Department of Psychological Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Paul C
PC
Odinka
Department of Psychiatry, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Monday N
MN
Igwe
Department of Psychiatry, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Nicodemus K
NK
Obayi
Department of Psychiatry, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (Parklane), Enugu State Nigeria.
Mark S
MS
Ezeme
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003906:Developing Countries; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
Religiosity; depression; diabetes mellitus; religious coping; socio-demographic variables