Date
4-2022
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Jeremiah Sullins
Keywords
Sabbath, Mental Health, Anxiety, Stress, Psychological Distress, Well-being
Disciplines
Counseling
Recommended Citation
McNichol, Kathryn, "Sabbath-keeping and Mental Health: The Influence of Weekly Sabbath-keeping on Stress, Anxiety and Well-being" (2022). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 3564.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/3564
Abstract
The purpose of the current study is to explore the effectiveness of a psychoeducational Sabbath intervention. Using a multiple baseline design, subsets of participants were assigned the psychoeducational intervention at varying times and completed a series of mental health questionnaires before, during, and after the intervention to assess its benefits. After receiving the psychoeducational intervention, participants began a weekly Sabbath-keeping practice. This study added to the limited existing literature on Sabbath-keeping and health, specifically mental health, by assessing the impact on anxiety, stress, and well-being. Results of this study indicated a potential connection between the practice of Sabbath-keeping and positive impact on anxiety, stress, and well-being. Rises in reported anxiety and stress amongst adults in the United States call for more cost-effective ways to both prevent and alleviate a variety of symptoms related to psychological distress. Weekly Sabbath-keeping has the potential to meet the demand.
