Being religious is better for your mental health, Israeli rabbi scientist-led study reveals

A new study led by Dr. Aaron Cherniak, Dr. Dvora Shmulewitz, and Prof. Mario Mikulincer from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that religiosity correlates with better mental health outcomes among Israeli Jewish adults. Published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, the study surveyed 3,000 participants in February 2025, including secular, traditional, religious, and Haredi individuals, to explore the relationship between religiosity, meaning in life, social media use, and exposure to disturbing online content with addiction and mental health.

• Religious participants reported lower rates of substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and PTSD compared to secular respondents.
• The study identified three key predictors of better mental health: a stronger sense of meaning and purpose in life, less time spent on social media, and reduced exposure to harmful online content.
• Dr. Cherniak noted, "Much of its protective effect appears to come from the extent it can help people cultivate meaning in life and reduce potentially harmful digital exposure."
• Once meaning in life and digital habits were accounted for, religiosity independently predicted better mental health only for problematic substance use, suggesting other aspects like communal support play a role.