The results serve as motivation for parents to invest in the religious formation of their children.
United States – Massachusetts (July 7, 2021 7:55 PM Gaudium Press) The results of a study by Harvard, the oldest and well-renowned university in the United States, revealed that religious education offers mental and physical benefits to children.
Healthier lifestyles
According to the research released by the ‘Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health’, children who attend Mass weekly or have an active prayer life are more positive and are more satisfied with their life by the time they reach their twenties. These young people, as adults, tend to choose a healthier lifestyle and avoid addictions.
The research was conducted on 5,000 children over a period of 8 to 14 years. At least 18% of the regular churchgoers reported higher happiness levels in their twenties than their non-religious peers. In addition, 29% tended to join community causes, and 33% stayed away from illicit drugs.
Religious beliefs give people spiritual strengths leading to healthy habits
According to Ying Chen, one of the study’s authors, children’s religious upbringing in the family and church context “can powerfully affect their physical health, mental health, happiness, and overall well-being.”
Emilie Kao, director of the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Religion & Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation, points out that “religious beliefs give people spiritual strengths leading to healthy habits, give them the ability to overcome obstacles in their lives and build their social networks.” (EPC)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
benefits of religious formation, mental and physical benefits of religious formation, religious beliefs, healthy habits, Harvard Research, Gaudium Press
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
