Experiential Avoidance Mediates the Relationship between Prayer Type and Mental Health before and through the COVID-19 Pandemic

The practice of prayer has been shown to predict various mental health outcomes, with different types accounting for outcomes. Considering the numerous stressors facing seminary students, which have only intensified throughout COVID-19 pandemic, may be a common coping strategy students who study theology, spiritual growth, and leadership. present investigates role that in reducing anxiety, depression, work burnout among students. Experiential avoidance is proposed as mediator such specific contribute greater characterological formation through staying engaged midst struggle. Longitudinal data was collected from 564 graduate 17 institutions accredited by Association Theological Schools. Based on previous research, we hypothesized experiential would mediate relationship between colloquial, liturgical, meditative, petitionary negative outcomes burnout. Results confirmed significant relationships meditative all three indicators, fully mediated avoidance. Petitionary not significantly related lower levels health. These results indicate engaging certain practices protective factor facilitating engagement.