Locations
USA
Categories
Community-based, Spirituality
Project leads / PIs
- Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell, PhD; Research Professor, DGHI; Duke University; (PI, rae.jean@duke.edu)
- David Eagle, PhD, Associate Research Professor, DGHI; Duke University; (Research Co-Director, david.eagle@duke.edu)
Partners
North Carolina United Methodist Church; Western North Carolina United Methodist Church
More Information
Clergy Health Initiative Longitudinal Study: 18 Years and Counting Project Leads: Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell, PhD; David Eagle, PhD
Project overview
The Clergy Health Initiative Longitudinal Study is the world’s longest running clergy health survey, currently spanning 2008-2025, with 9 waves administered biennially. All currently appointed (or within 4 years of retirement) United Methodist Church clergy in North Carolina are invited to respond. Changes at the individual level over time can be examined. Content includes physical, mental, and spiritual well-being as well as rare longitudinal social networks data (from 2016-2025) and occupational factors requested by the NC United Methodist conferences and the Clergy Well-Being Council. Current analyses involve flourishing/positive mental health, political differences, work-family strain, sleep, and adverse childhood experiences.
Related publications
Tice, L., Salgado, G., Johnston, E., Nascimento, B., Lee, B. H. J., Proeschold-Bell, R. J., & Eagle, D. (2025). The Weight of the Yoke: A Qualitative Analysis of the Stressors for Clergy across a Mental Health Continuum. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2025.2536533
Lee, B. H. J., Holleman, A., & Proeschold-Bell, R. J. (2024). Stability and Shifts in the Combined Positive and Negative Mental Health of Clergy: A Longitudinal Latent Class and Latent Transition Analysis Study of United Methodist Pastors Before and After the Onset of COVID-19. Social Science & Medicine, 116651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116651
Eagle, D., Miles, A., & Proeschold-Bell, R.J. (2017). The honeymoon is over: Occupational relocation and changes in mental health among United Methodist clergy. Review of Religious Research, 59 (1), 31-45
Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Smith, B., Eisenberg, A., LeGrand, S., Adams, C., & Wilk, A. (2015). The Glory of God is a human being fully alive: Predictors of positive versus negative mental health among clergy. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 54(4), 702-721.
Proeschold-Bell, R.J., Miles, A., Toth, M. Adams, C, Smith, B., & Toole, D. (2013). Using effort-reward imbalance theory to understand high rates of depression and anxiety among clergy. Journal of Primary Prevention, 34(6), 439-453. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-013-0321-4