Blake Adams, Utah Valley University
Recent research suggests that individuals who use religious coping in a negative fashion are prone to high levels of stress and depression. Religious missions require strict adherence to religious standards. Other research on returned and actively serving LDS missionaries has indicated that many suffered from mission-related stress. Some mission-related stress is thought to be associated with inappropriate weight gain and negative body image. Though under stress, some research indicates that LDS missionaries can learn positive life skills and gain confidence which leads many to successful lives. We wanted to examine the relationship between religious missionary service and the self confidence of returned LDS missionaries. We also wanted to learn if these returned missionaries were prone to significant feelings of guilt and shame for their eating choices and physical appearance. We hypothesized that returned LDS missionaries would have higher levels of self confidence and body comfort when compared to the control population. We also hypothesized that returned LDS missionaries would be subject to significantly higher feelings of stress and guilt when compared to the control population. In order to study these factors, we collected data from a convenience sample of 1008 participants who responded to an online survey distributed by means of social media. Of these participants, we recorded responses from 164 returned missionaries of the LDS church. Participants responded to questions by rating levels of self confidence and body comfort. Questions related to guilt, stress, and eating were also measured. Measures taken from returned LDS missionaries and other participants were compared in regards to both body comfort and self confidence. Measures of guilt and stress in regards to eating were also compared. On average, returned LDS missionaries reported higher levels of confidence and body comfort than other participants. In contrast to our hypothesis, returned LDS missionaries reported fewer instances of feeling guilt or shame due to eating habits. Results showed no significant relation between missionary service and eating as a response to stress. Though there is little available literature on the health of returned missionaries, the results seem to contrast findings from existing research on missionaries. The findings could aid in understanding the relation between the missionary lifestyle and the resulting positive self image. Further research will be needed to understand how LDS mission service impacts confidence and health. Perhaps future findings could aid in the discovery of factors which may lead to higher levels of confidence and body comfort.