PTSD symptoms in religious leaders: Prevalence, stressors, and associations with narcissism

Religious leaders face numerous mental health challenges, and prior research suggests that some experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to work-related experiences. This study employed a diverse sample of 274 religious leaders to (a) qualitatively describe the types of work-...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inArchive for the psychology of religion Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 21 - 40
Main Authors Ruffing, Elizabeth G, Bell, Chance A, Sandage, Steven J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London, England SAGE Publications 01.03.2021
Subjects
stress
post-traumatic stress disorder
spirituality
qualitative
Clergy
religion
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Summary:Religious leaders face numerous mental health challenges, and prior research suggests that some experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to work-related experiences. This study employed a diverse sample of 274 religious leaders to (a) qualitatively describe the types of work-related experiences they identify as particularly stressful or overwhelming, (b) assess the prevalence of PTSD symptoms associated with these experiences, and (c) test hypothesized associations between PTSD symptoms and narcissism. The study found that the stressful experiences reported typically involved relational conflict, having limited resources, or caring for people suffering. Over half of the sample endorsed symptoms that were above the cutoff for a clinical concern for PTSD, and PTSD symptoms were significantly associated with symptoms of both vulnerable narcissism and grandiose narcissism. Practical implications for the ongoing formation and support of religious leaders are discussed.
ISSN:0084-6724
1573-6121
DOI:10.1177/0084672420926261