Investigation of the relationship between religious activity and the severity of symptoms of PTSD and depression in combatants in a combat zone

The aim of the study was the relationship between religious activity and the severity of symptoms of PTSD and depression in combatants in a combat zone. We hypothesized that a high level of religious activity is associated with less pronounced symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The church-educated participants demonstrated the best adaptive abilities. Moderately religious participants showed average levels of anxiety and depression. The nonreligious subjects showed more severe forms of PTSD. Each combatant was tested (D. O. Smirnov's Methodology for measuring religious activity (PEACE); A. Beck's Depression Scale; N.B. Tarabrina's Scale for the clinical diagnosis of PTSD). As the analysis of research shows, religion is a powerful protective force in various powerful stressful situations.