Abstract
This study examined psychotropic medication claims in a sample of Protestant clergy. It estimated the proportion of clergy
in the sample who had a claim for psychotropic medication (i.e., anti-depressants and anxiolytics) in 2005 and examined associations
between sociodemographic characteristics, occupational distress and having a claim. Protestant clergy (n = 749) from nine denominations completed a mail survey and provided access to their pharmaceutical records. Logistic regression
models assessed the effect of sociodemographic characteristics and occupational distress on having a claim. The descriptive
analysis revealed that 16 % (95 % Confidence interval [CI] 13.3 %–18.5 %) of the clergy in the sample had a claim for psychotropic
medication in 2005 and that, among clergy who experienced frequent occupational distress, 28 % (95 % CI 17.5 %–37.5 %) had
a claim. The regression analysis found that older clergy, female clergy, and those who experienced frequent occupational distress
were more likely to have a claim. Due to recent demographic changes in the clergy population, including the increasing mean
age of new clergy and the growing number of female clergy, the proportion of clergy having claims for psychotropic medication
may increase in the coming years. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the use of psychotropic
medication among clergy.
in the sample who had a claim for psychotropic medication (i.e., anti-depressants and anxiolytics) in 2005 and examined associations
between sociodemographic characteristics, occupational distress and having a claim. Protestant clergy (n = 749) from nine denominations completed a mail survey and provided access to their pharmaceutical records. Logistic regression
models assessed the effect of sociodemographic characteristics and occupational distress on having a claim. The descriptive
analysis revealed that 16 % (95 % Confidence interval [CI] 13.3 %–18.5 %) of the clergy in the sample had a claim for psychotropic
medication in 2005 and that, among clergy who experienced frequent occupational distress, 28 % (95 % CI 17.5 %–37.5 %) had
a claim. The regression analysis found that older clergy, female clergy, and those who experienced frequent occupational distress
were more likely to have a claim. Due to recent demographic changes in the clergy population, including the increasing mean
age of new clergy and the growing number of female clergy, the proportion of clergy having claims for psychotropic medication
may increase in the coming years. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the use of psychotropic
medication among clergy.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s11126-012-9224-4
- Authors
- Steven M. Frenk, Carolina Population Center and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 123 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
- Sarah A. Mustillo, Department of Sociology, Purdue University, 700 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Steven L. Foy, Department of Sociology, Duke University, Box 90088, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Whitney D. Arroyave, Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street SL-18, Suite 2000, New Orleans, LA 70115, USA
- Elizabeth G. Hooten, Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3400, Busse Building, Suite 0505, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Kari H. Lauderback, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Box 70267, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
- Keith G. Meador, Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1601 23rd Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
- Journal Psychiatric Quarterly
- Online ISSN 1573-6709
- Print ISSN 0033-2720