Locations
USA
Categories
Spirituality
Project leads / PIs
- David Eagle, Ph.D.
Team members
- Erin Johnston, Ph.D., Senior Research Associate
- Erin Lane, M.T.S., Director of Research Translation Collaborators
- Josh Gaghan, M.T.S., Program Coordinator
- Elizabeth Johnson, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Associate
- Laura Hamrick, M.Div., Clergy Engagement Specialist
- Whitney Carr, M.A., Communications + Engagement Coordinator
- Fatimah Salleh, Ph.D., M.Div., Education Specialist
- Ryan Parker, M.S., Research Analyst I
More Information
The Seminary to Early Ministry Study (SEM) Project Lead: David Eagle, PhD
Project overview
The Seminary to Early Ministry (SEM) Study—the first long-term study of divinity school students—examines mental health and well-being from seminary through early ministry. Using surveys, interviews, ethnography, and biometric data, SEM follows three cohorts of seminarians to understand how theological training influences a wide range of outcomes. The mental health component of the study focuses on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and spiritual struggles, aiming to identify the factors that promote flourishing, resilience, and overall well-being among future religious leaders.
Related publications
Upenieks, L., & Eagle, D. (2026). Religious and spiritual struggles and depressive symptoms among seminary students: Childhood religiosity as boon or buffer? Pastoral Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-026-01300-3
Upenieks, L, Eagle, D.E., & Holleman, A. (2024). Childhood Abuse and the Mental Health of Seminary Students: The Mediating Role of R/S Struggles. Review of Religious Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/0034673X241302420
Holleman, A., Upenieks, L., & Eagle, D. (2023). Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Seminarians: Personal Experiences of Trauma and Implications for Pastoral Well-Being and Ministerial Training. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 0(0).