Study: Praying can help alleviate anxiety and other difficult emotions

By Staff Writer

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 8 percent of teenagers between the ages of 13 to 18 are severely impaired by one type of anxiety disorder. Some of these adolescents struggle with a variety of emotions, such as fear, sadness and anger.

These hardships can be very difficult for teens to overcome, and they may lead to academic underachievement, substance abuse or self-harm. A recent study in the journal Social Psychology Quarterly reveals that prayer can help individuals deal with troubling situations and negative emotions. Although some children are not religious, the team of researchers found that the simple act of verbally venting helped the study's participants improve their mood.

The study, which was conducted by sociologists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UWM), was based on dozens of surveys with victims of violent relationships. They concluded that individuals who prayed to a God, or a higher power, were more likely to enjoy a reprieve of their anxiety and stress.

Like a conversation with a parent or friend, researchers said that the act of folding one's hands, concentrating on their troubles and vocalizing them can relieve some of the pent-up frustration.

Adolescents who struggle with anxiety or other emotional problems may consider wildneress therapy, which is designed to provide help for troubled teens.