Correlation of spiritual health and depression among young adults in a state university in Southern Philippines

Abstract

Depression is a leading cause of disability in the Philippines. According to data from the World Health Organization, the overall prevalence of depression in the Philippines is 3.3 percent, implying that over 3.3 million Filipinos are suffering from symptoms of depression. Depression thus affects a majority of Filipinos. Meanwhile, previous studies have shown a link between spirituality and mental health. Methods: The overall objective of this study is to assess the respondents' demographic characteristics, their spiritual health, their level of depression and to find a significant relationship, if any, among the variables. Results: The data indicated that respondents' average religious well-being score was 55.28, indicating a favorable sense of one's relationship with God. The existential well-being score had a mean of 44.56, indicating a moderate level of life fulfillment and meaning. Furthermore, the total score for all depressed symptoms was 23.32, indicating that people who took part in the survey during the pandemic suffered moderate to severe depression. Correlation analysis found a negative correlation between spiritual health and the level of depression (r=-0.458, p=0.001) which means that as respondents' spiritual health grows, their level of depression lowers. Conclusion: The study concluded that spiritual health, as expressed through existential well-being and religious well- being, is a separate component that lends explanatory power to mental well-being prediction. The study advises heads of health sectors in various institutions to intensify their fight against depression. Additional research is also strongly encouraged.