Relatively few studies have prospectively examined the effects of known protective factors, such as religion, on pandemic-related outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pre- and post-pandemic trajectories and psychological effects of religious beliefs and religious attendance. Male and female adults (N = 189) reported their beliefs in religious importance (RI) and their religious attendance (RA) both before (T1) and after (T2) the pandemic’s onset. Descriptive and regression analyses were used to track RI and RA from T1 to T2 and to test their effects on psychological outcomes at T1 and T2. The participants who reported a decrease in religious importance and attendance were greater in number than those who reported an increase, with RI (36.5% vs. 5.3%) and RA (34.4% vs. 4.8%). The individuals with decreased RI were less likely to know someone who had died from COVID-19 (O.R. =0.4, p = 0.027). The T1 RI predicted overall social adjustment (p < 0.05) and lower suicidal ideation (p = 0.05). The T2 RI was associated with lower suicidal ideation (p < 0.05). The online RA (T2) was associated with lower depression (p < 0.05) and lower anxiety (p < 0.05). Further research is needed to evaluate the mechanisms driving decreases in religiosity during pandemics. Religious beliefs and online religious attendance were beneficial during the pandemic, which bodes well for the use of telemedicine in therapeutic approaches.

We examined whether change in childhood religious affiliation (i.e., religious change) is associated with increased rates of adult psychopathology. Data were obtained from a three-generation study of families at high- and low-risk for major depressive disorder (MDD; N = 281). High-risk status was defined by diagnoses of MDD in Generation 1; low-risk by its absence. Diagnostic clinical interviews were collected over 40 years. Self-report measures on religiosity/spirituality were collected at Year 35. Lifetime patterns of religious affiliation were examined in relation to various psychopathologies across generations and risk groups using logistic regressions. Change in childhood religion was associated with higher rates of adult substance abuse (odds ratio (OR) = 2.72, p = 0.050) and, marginally, anxiety (OR = 4.90, p = 0.063). Psychopathology was observed primarily in the high-risk group: anxiety disorders (OR = 5.50, p = 0.026), substance abuse (OR = 4.70, p = 0.008), and MDD (OR = 2.40, p = 0.058), although formal tests of interaction were not statistically significant. For those who changed religions in the high-risk group, higher rates of substance abuse were observed in Generation 2 (OR = 7.19, p = 0.01), whereas higher rates of MDD were observed in Generation 3 (OR = 6.94, p = 0.03). There were no generational differences in rates of religious change (p > 0.05). Results suggest changes in childhood religious affiliation may be a risk factor for adult psychopathology.