Work-Related Psychological Wellbeing and Conservative Christian Belief Among Methodist Circuit Ministers in Britain: Distinguishing Between Emotional Exhaustion and Satisfaction in Ministry

J Relig Health. 2023 Jun;62(3):1636-1657. doi: 10.1007/s10943-022-01637-y. Epub 2022 Sep 28.

Abstract

Drawing on data provided by 803 Methodist circuit ministers serving in Great Britain, the present study was designed to test the association between conservative Christian belief and work-related psychological wellbeing as operationalised by the balanced affect model proposed by the Francis Burnout Inventory. After taking into account the effects of personal factors, psychological factors, contextual factors, and experience factors, holding conservative Christian belief was associated with a higher level of positive affect (satisfaction in ministry) but independent of negative affect (emotional exhaustion in ministry).

Keywords: Burnout; Clergy studies; Empirical theology; Individual differences; Personality.

MeSH terms

  • Burnout, Professional* / psychology
  • Clergy / psychology
  • Emotions
  • Humans
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Protestantism*
  • United Kingdom