Religious doubts and mental health in adolescence and young adulthood: The association with religious attitudes

Religious doubts seem to be a part of identity and faith development in adolescence and young adulthood. Such doubts, however, are often linked with psychological distress, though the results in the field are not consistent. It seems important therefore to explore further the relationship between religious doubts and mental health. This study investigated the moderating role of religious attitudes (strength of religious belief, and literal vs. symbolic approach to religion) on this relationship in a sample of 403 Hungarian high school and university students aged 15–25 years in a cross-sectional survey. Results provided support for a three-way moderation: the positive correlation between doubts and anxiety/depression was stronger the higher the level of religious belief, but was strongest when religious beliefs and symbolic approach were both high. These associations were found to be stable across gender and educational level. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.