Influence of Attending Worship Services on the Mental Health of Young Adults in Mainstream Churches in Imenti North, Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of attending worship services on the mental health of young adults in mainstream churches in Imenti North, Meru County, Kenya. The study adopted a correlational research design. The target population was 3,745 young adults and 106 pastors/Rev/fathers from 13 mainstream churches in Imenti North Sub County.  Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The questionnaire results revealed that the majority of respondents (96 or 27%, and 107 or 31%) strongly agreed or agreed, with a mean of 4.24, that attending worship services helped them become more optimistic in life. Additionally, 121 (35%) strongly agreed, and 89 (26%) agreed, with a mean of 4.04, that their self-esteem developed through opportunities to express their talents in the church. However, 112 (32%) strongly disagreed, and 100 (28%) disagreed, with a mean of 2.37, about attending counseling sessions or listening to sermons that had positively affected their emotional stability. The correlation coefficient was found to be r = 0.680 at α < 0.022, with a significance level of 99%. Since the correlation coefficient was less than 1 and the p-value was less than 0.05, the null hypothesis was rejected. Interview results indicated that attending worship services facilitated positive changes in young adults' lives, including spiritual growth and expanded thinking. Moreover, attending worship services helped young adults cope with mental health issues related to childhood trauma, providing exposure to counseling and God's love. The frequency of attending worship services was a significant factor in the mental health and well-being of young adults, promoting optimism and personal growth. However, there were challenges in engaging young adults with certain programs, such as sermons, which may not have been relevant or appealing to them. The recommendation for attending worship services is that churches should engage young adults more in worship services, offering tailored programs or concurrent services that specifically address their spiritual and mental health needs.