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Rural Residents’ Depressive Symptoms and Help-Seeking Preferences: Opportunities for Church-Based Intervention Development

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Abstract

This study examines rural residents’ depressive symptoms, helps seeking preferences and perceptions of a church-based group depression intervention, informing feasibility of adapting evidence-based treatment for delivery in rural churches. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 100 members of 2 churches in a rural Midwestern community; 63 congregants responded. Depression was assessed via the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Descriptive analyses were performed, and 12.9% of respondents screened positive for depression. Another 25% reported mild symptomatology. Respondents preferred informal help seeking, although reported more openness to formal providers to address others’ depression. Results suggest receptivity to church-based treatment. Almost two-third of respondents reported they would consider attending a church-based group depression intervention, 80% would recommend it to a friend in need, and 60% indicated it would benefit their community. Delivering evidence-based depression treatment within church settings may provide a viable option for increasing access to care in this rural community.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Addie Weaver & Joseph Himle

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Joseph Himle

  3. Hillsdale Church of the Nazarene, Hillsdale, MI, USA

    Mark Elliott

  4. Trinity Lutheran Church, Hillsdale, MI, USA

    Jessica Hahn

  5. Department of Community Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

    Deborah Bybee

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  1. Addie Weaver
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  2. Joseph Himle
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  5. Deborah Bybee
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Correspondence to Addie Weaver.

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Weaver, A., Himle, J., Elliott, M. et al. Rural Residents’ Depressive Symptoms and Help-Seeking Preferences: Opportunities for Church-Based Intervention Development. J Relig Health 58, 1661–1671 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00807-9

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