Experiential Avoidance Mediates the Relationship between Prayer Type and Mental Health before and through the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examined how different types of prayer affect mental health outcomes among seminary students during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that colloquial, liturgical, and meditative prayer were associated with lower levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout. These relationships were fully mediated by lower experiential avoidance, suggesting that certain prayer practices support mental health by helping students stay engaged through struggle. Read more.