CAUSE OR EFFECT

From the SunTimes: University of Chicago researchers reported that African Americans who strongly believe in God were less likely to be depressed than nonbelievers.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) lists the following as symptoms of depression:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood; Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• suicide attempts
• Restlessness, irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

I wonder if anyone at the U of C has considered the possibility that people who persistently feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, guilty, and worthless are less likely to "strongly believe in God" than those not suffering from depression.