Credit: US astronauts, International Space Station, Wikipedia, Public Domain
A recent study by Arizona Christian University’s Cultural Research Center (CRC) concludes that a person’s worldview is behind the recent surge in mental health issues in America.
According to the study led by Dr. George Barna, government’s statistics reveal that nearly a quarter of Americans (23%) are experiencing at least some form of mental illness and if you focus on just the youngest two groups, Millennials and Gen Z, the number climbs to 33%.
While the study recognizes there are legitimate causes for mental health issues, such as chemical imbalances, it suggests at least some of the struggle can be attributed to a changing worldview, that has tossed aside the Bible and God, in favor of a more secular perspective.
A Biblical worldview holds to the Bible’s perspective on world events, which tells us God is ultimately in control of human affairs. It also speaks of a satanic world and this combined with sin is the root of evil. It also holds to the Biblical belief that God cares and is actively involved in our personal lives, which have purpose and meaning.
Over the past few decades, there has been a decline in the number of people who hold a Biblical worldview and this has coincided with a noticeable surge in mental health issues.
“The research instead indicates that those are often symptoms of an unhealthy worldview that produces and reinforces the emergence of anxiety, depression, fear, and even suicidal thoughts,” CRC reports.
The study found that age groups which have the most secular view of the world are the ones struggling with mental health issues.
This includes Gen Z that are born between 2003 and 2021.
“Shockingly, a majority of adults from Gen Z (56%) report experiencing regular bouts of anxiety, depression, or crippling fear in the past year,” CRC reported. “That same generational segment has the lowest incidence of biblical worldview possession (1%).“
The same holds true for the next oldest group, the Millennials who are born between 1984 to 2002. Barna’s study found that just under half (49%) experienced similar mental health issues and only 2% held a consistent Biblical worldview.
Not surprisingly, 30% of Gen Z and Millennials are atheists or agnostics.
In contrast, the two oldest groups, Gen X and Boomers, are experiencing the least struggles with mental health issues while at the same time having higher levels of those embracing a Biblical worldview.
- Gen X, (born between 1965 to 1983): 39% are experiencing mental health issues and 4% hold a a consistent Biblical worldview.
- Boomers (born between 1946 to 1964): Only 14% are experiencing mental health issues, and 8% hold a consistent Biblical worldview.
This should not surprise us as Barna says that the way we view the world impacts our daily lives.
“It is not uncommon,” Barna said, “to find a young adult who trusts feelings more than facts, sees no inherent value to life, believes in Karma, and rejects the existence of the biblical God and the availability of eternal security available through Jesus Christ.”
