Students who don’t follow a religion reported feeling more depressed, more drained, and lonelier than those who did have religious beliefs.
Scientific Claim
Among Ukrainian female university students, those who identify as secular report significantly higher levels of depression, burnout, and emotional loneliness than those who identify as non-secular.
Original Statement
“T-test shows a higher PHQ-9 score among secular than religious respondents (t(2771) = 7.606; p < .001, d = 6.192). T-test shows higher SBM scores among secular (t(2788) = 6.553; p < .001, d = 7.628). Mann–Whitney test shows a higher level of emotional loneliness among secular than religious respondents (U = 701,485.0, Z = -2.311, p = .021, r = .044).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The study compares pre-existing groups (secular vs. non-secular) using appropriate group comparisons. No causal language is used, and the findings are presented as associations, consistent with the design.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
Contradicting (1)
Mental health and well-being among Ukrainian female university students: The impact of war over 3 years
The study looked at how war affected girls' mental health but never asked if they were religious or not, so we can't tell if secular students feel worse than others.