Study: Following the five precepts of Buddhism can reduce the risk of depression

People who follow the precepts of Buddhism may be more resilient to stress and less likely to become depressed. This is evidenced by the results of the new research from scientists from Thailand and Hungary.

The authors proceeded from the assumption that the main risk factor for depression is neuroticism. It is a personality trait characterized by a range of negative emotions, including anger, anxiety, and irritability. The combination of neuroticism and external stress often leads to clinical depression.

On the other hand, the five precepts of Buddhism can increase self-sufficiency, fortitude and equanimity - traits that can protect against mental suffering. Therefore, scientists have tried to determine how adherence to the five moral principles of Buddhism affects neuroticism, stress and depression.

Specifically, the five precepts include not killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying maliciously, and using intoxicants. It may seem that some of these vows are easy to keep - but keep in mind that restrictions on deprivation of life does not only apply to people: swatting a mosquito or slaughtering a cow for meat is also considered murder.

In the study, 644 Thai adults completed several questionnaires, including a psychological questionnaire to measure levels of neuroticism, as well as perceptions of levels of stress and depression. They were also asked to rate their adherence to the Buddhist precepts.

The results showed that while following the commandments did not directly affect the relationship between neuroticism and depression, it significantly reduced the likelihood of developing depressive symptoms due to external stress. Among participants who did not strive to strictly follow the precepts, each point on the scale of external stress increased the risk of depression by 0.273 points. For those who followed the commandments, the risk of depression increased by only 0.157 points for each point on the stress scale.

This indicates that the observance of the commandments softens the impact of external stress on the mental state. Also, people who are more committed to the vows of Buddhism are less likely to develop depressive symptoms. The principles of this interaction need to be studied further, but it is assumed that this is due to a state of mental equilibrium that reduces the impact of stress.