The associations between religion, bereavement and depression among Hong Kong nurses

BACKGROUND: This paper is to examine the associations between religion, bereavement and depression among nursing professionals using a cross-sectional survey design. There is little empirical evidence in Asia suggesting that religion may either increase or lower the likelihood of nursing professionals being depressed. METHODS: We analyzed the results of a Mental Health Survey soliciting data from 850 Hong Kong nurses (aged 21–59, 178 males) regarding their mental well-being and associated factors, including participants’ socio-economic profile and recent life-events. Multiple linear regression analyses examined associations between religion, bereavement and depression. RESULTS: Religious faith is weakly associated with lower self-reported depression in bereavement. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm those studies suggesting that religion positively affects mental health and yet healthcare providers have yet to assimilate this insight.