A groundbreaking study by Dr. George Barna, Director of Research of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, presents a chilling possibility — that hundreds of thousands of Americans are spending tens of millions of dollars and countless hours investing in drugs and mental-health solutions that are treating the wrong problem.
In his latest research, Barna presents compelling evidence that many mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and fear, could stem from worldview deficiencies rather than psychological or chemical imbalances. While some mental health issues are undoubtedly biological, Barna says, the study highlights a startling connection between mental health and the possession of a biblical worldview, with a strong inverse correlation between a lack of biblical beliefs and frequent mental health struggles.
Studies by federal government agencies assert that one out of every four adults (23%) have some type of mental illness. Among the youngest two generations (Millennials and Gen Z), one out of every three people (33%) is estimated to have one or more diagnosable mental disorders. Among the most common of those mental illnesses are anxiety disorders, common to one out of five adults (19%), and substance addiction, also present among nearly one-fifth of adults (18%).
Young adults are those most likely to have had physical manifestations of their disorders during the past 12 months. For instance, while 8% of all adults experienced a major depressive episode in the past year, at least twice as many in Gen Z (19%) and among Millennials (16%) had such an incident.
Similarly, although 5% of adults had serious suicidal thoughts at least once in the past year, such thoughts occurred in much higher proportions within Gen Z (13%) and Millennials (9%).
If those incidence statistics are projected to the total adult population, an estimated 60 million individuals have at least one diagnosable mental disorder. Slightly more than 50 million adults have some type of anxiety disorder. And nearly 50 million adults struggle with alcohol or drug addiction.
“You do what you believe. Worldview determines lifestyle, and that includes mental health,” Barna says.
Among young adults, the statistics are particularly concerning. More than half of Generation Z (56%) and Millennials (49%) report experiencing anxiety, depression, or fear regularly. These generations also have the lowest levels of biblical worldview adherence, with only 1% of Gen Z and 2% of Millennials holding a biblical worldview. In stark contrast, just 14% of Baby Boomers report similar struggles, with 8% holding a biblical worldview.
Barna explains, “It’s not uncommon to find a young adult who trusts feelings more than facts, sees no inherent value to life, believes in Karma, and rejects the existence of the biblical God. Add to this a lack of any sense of purpose or meaning, and the idea that truth is subjective. This common set of components results in a lifestyle that is inconsistent, chaotic, frustrating, and lacking hope. Anxiety, depression, and fear are virtually inescapable in such a life.”
Barna’s research identifies more than a dozen specific beliefs that contribute to mental health struggles, all of which conflict with biblical principles. These include a rejection of absolute moral truth, the belief in reincarnation, and a reliance on self-determination instead of trusting in God’s guidance. The research indicates that those who adopt these unbiblical beliefs are significantly more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and fear.
For example:
- Lack of Purpose: Seven out of 10 people under 40 report not having a clear sense of purpose, leading to a range of negative emotions.
- Godlessness: Four out of five individuals who reject God often experience anxiety and fear, correlating with their dismissal of a higher power.
- Moral Relativism: Less than one-fourth of Millennials (22%) and just 13% of Gen Z believe in absolute moral truth, a belief that contributes to insecurity and psychological instability.
“The lifestyle that results from these common worldview components is one of chaos and fear,” said Barna. “However, embracing a biblical worldview offers a sense of purpose, security, and peace that can alleviate many of these mental health challenges.”
One of the most common worldviews among young adults today is Syncretism, a blend of conflicting beliefs drawn from various worldviews. Barna warns that Syncretism, which lacks coherence or grounding in truth, leads to emotional instability.
“It’s not surprising that anxiety, depression, and fear are rampant among young adults who adopt Syncretism,” Barna explained. “Without a solid foundation of truth, their lives become inconsistent and chaotic. The biblical worldview, by contrast, provides a framework that fosters emotional stability.”
The research shows that adults who possess a biblical worldview are significantly less likely to experience mental health struggles. These individuals tend to enjoy more fulfilling relationships, a clearer sense of purpose, and greater resilience in the face of life’s challenges. According to Barna, “People with a biblical worldview are more likely to experience joy, peace, and fulfillment because their lives align with God’s design.”
The longtime researcher and bestselling author’s findings offer a profound call to action for parents and churches, indicating that worldview is largely formed by age 13, making it critical to instill biblical principles in children early. As Barna explains in his latest book, Raising Spiritual Champions: Nurturing Your Child’s Heart, Mind, and Soul, shaping a child’s worldview with biblical truth can be a transformative and cost-effective way to improve mental health outcomes across the nation.
“There are certainly many situations that merit conventional mental health treatments such as counseling, prescription drugs, physical therapy, and institutionalization,” Barna stated. “But this research does raise the possibility that there are also situations where a patient suffers from a psychological or emotional disorder attributable to worldview components that trigger and sustain the condition.”
The study concludes with a clear message: addressing the mental health crisis may require more than just conventional treatment—it may also require a reevaluation of worldview.
“The conditions I’ve described are surprisingly common, but they reflect the most prevalent worldview of young adults today, Syncretism,” Barna says. “If people instead embraced the core tenets of the biblical worldview, their lives would not be perfect … but they would avoid many of the emotional and psychological pitfalls we’re seeing today.”