Who is studying religion? An analysis of religious variables in psychology dissertations, 1983-1987

Historically, psychology has either ignored or minimized the importance of the role of religion in people's lives. This study analyzes the ways in which religion was studied in 212 psychology dissertations written between 1983 and 1987 that used religion as the primary independent variable. These 212 "core" dissertations generated nine variables. Interviews with 50 of the dissertation authors about their graduate experience and research practices generated five more variables. Fewer than 5% of all U.S. dissertations written during this period contained any religious variable, while fewer than 2% investigated religion as a primary independent variable. Chi-square analysis showed religion to have a significant positive impact on well-being. This finding was true regardless of how religion was studied (quantitatively or qualitatively) or where religion was studied (at religious or secular schools). Religion had a positive impact 57% of the time, and a negative impact only 9% of the time. The majority of the core dissertations studied religion in a multidimensional way; therefore, results were mixed 34% of the time. Sixty percent of U.S. doctoral psychology programs did not produce any dissertations with a religious variable, and 80% of the programs did not produce a single core dissertation. Therefore, in spite of its documented positive impact on well being, religion is understudied. Dissertation authors who wrote qualitative dissertations (studies which were phenomenological or theoretical) reported significantly more enjoyment in the writing process than those who wrote quantitative dissertations (studies with statistical analysis). Eighty percent of the graduates have published no more than one article in the five to nine years since graduation. Over half have published nothing at all. The few who have published are as likely to write on religious as secular themes in later research. Over half were employed in private clinical practice. If the study of religion is to gain higher recognition among psychologists, those interested in understanding the complex relationship between the spiritual and the psychological need to be more committed to research and publication. The journals, on the other hand, may wish to re-examine their preference for the more statistically oriented articles and consider including more phenomenologically oriented articles that may shed light on the very personal nature of religion in human life.