Church-based emotional support, negative interaction, and psychological well-being: Findings from a national sample of Presbyterians

The purpose of this study is examine the relationships between church-based emotional support, negative interaction, and psychological well-being amon g clergy, elders, and rank-and-file members of the Presbyterian Church USA. Based on identity theory, if is proposed that clergy will receive more emo tional support and encounter more negative interaction than others in the c hurch It is further hypothesized that the impact of emotional support and n egative interaction on well-being will be greatest among members of the cle rgy. Data from a nationwide survey of Presbyterians reveal that elders as w ell as clergy encounter more emotional support and negative interaction tha n rank-and-file members. The findings further indicate that the effects of emotional support and negative interaction on well-being are greater for cl ergy and elders than for rank-and-file members. The implications of these f indings are discussed, along with several promising directions for future r esearch.