Clinical study: Church community service promotes greater wellbeing

Community Mental Health Journal ^ | 12/03/2013 | MacIlvaine WR, Nelson LA, Stewart JA, Stewart WC

[Teleios Research]

To assess the impact of community service on personal wellbeing in a mid-west church-based population a prospective survey was distributed evaluating self-reported community service, the perceived benefit of the service and its association to personal wellbeing. There were 309 participants. Those who served in some capacity had better scores on survey questions including: contentment, peace, joy, purpose and community acceptance, but not better self-perceived mental or physical health. Church going adults, who are serving in some capacity in their church or community, may demonstrate heightened personal wellbeing compared to those who are not assisting others.

[Teleios Research]

This study was a prospective survey analysis of a single church based cohort. The survey was performed during a single Sunday service on August 28, 2011 at a Christian evangelical church. The survey evaluated self-reported adherence to Christian based religious practice, knowledge (Maturity questions based on Christian Scripture [Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1Peter 1:3-5]) and the perceived benefit derived from their religion regarding their personal wellbeing (Wellbeing questions [Galatians 5:22, 1Timothy 6:6, Romans 8:1, Philippians 4:6-7, Hebrews 4:14-16, II Timothy 1:9]).

Effect of service Generally, those people who served in some capacity in or outside the church demonstrated better scores on five Wellbeing characteristics than those who did not, including: contentment, peace joy, purpose and community acceptance (P≤0.02). This wellbeing, however, did not translate into better self-perceived overall mental or physical health (P>0.05). People who served also demonstrated a better Global Wellbeing score (average of seven questions together) than those who could not serve (P=0.032). Further, a greater number of hours served per week also benefitted global wellbeing (P=0.02) and the perceived extent of the benefit of the service (P=0.0012).

Perceived benefit of service The greatest perceived benefit from service was related to the question that a subject’s efforts enhance wellbeing of other individuals and the service organization itself (P<0.0001. Further, a greater number of hours served per week increased the perceived benefit of the service (P=0.0012. When subjects were divided into those who perceived greater benefit (0-1) or less perceived benefit (>1) for their service for each of the Benefit (service) questions we found a difference between groups for answers on each of the seven Wellbeing questions (P≤0.004). The strongest separation between groups on the Wellbeing scales resulted generally from the Benefit question: peace, joy and purpose. However, generally no greater effect on wellbeing was noted by perceiving a benefit on more than one Benefit questions. Also, the perceived benefit of the service was not dependent upon whether or not it was church or community based service (church or non-churched sponsored, P=0.19.

Summary This study showed that individuals, who routinely participated in a community or church based service program demonstrated generally better wellbeing scores, compared to those who did not, including: contentment, peace, joy, purpose and community acceptance. Additionally, people who served had a better Global Wellbeing score (average of seven questions together) than those who could not serve. Further, the number of hours served per week also benefitted global wellbeing and perceived benefit of the service. The perceived benefit of the service was not dependent on the general type of service, i.e., whether in the church or a non-church sponsored community based service.