Psychological Wellbeing and Sources of Support for Church of England Clergy and Laity During the Third National COVID-19 Lockdown

Abstract

ABSTRACT Psychological wellbeing was assessed by affect balance (a function of negative and positive affect) during the third UK Covid-19 lockdown in 2021 among 1,847 clergy and laity in the Church of England. Wellbeing was lower among people with a general tendency toward neuroticism, among those with an Epimethean (SJ) psychological temperament, and among clergy, but higher among older people and Evangelicals. Differences in these findings from the first UK lockdown are discussed. Negative and positive affect were correlated with slightly different sets of predictor variables, in line with balanced affect theory. The mitigating effects of relevant support were evident for both clergy and lay people. Changes in the key sources of support from the first lockdown were evident, with church-based support for clergy appearing to be more effective in promoting wellbeing in the third lockdown.