A study conducted by England’s University of Cambridge reported that people of faith in Britain handle COVID-19 better than those who weren’t, Study Finds report.

In its news release, Cambridge professors, Sriya Iyer, Dr Po-Wen and Prof Shaun Larcom, stated they came to this conclusion after comparing the results of surveys taken before the pandemic with those taken during COVID-19’s peak years, 2020 and 2021.

The researchers noted that because the pandemic impacted every aspect of society equally, it offered a unique opportunity to study if faith helps people deal with a national crisis.

While the pandemic resulted in an overall drop in happiness across society, it found that people of faith experienced a 29% less drop, when compared to those who did not have faith.

Study Finds reports that this falls in line with other studies which have come to similar conclusions.

Research, conducted in February and March 2021 of Americans, found that people of faith in that country also fared better mentally during COVID.

For those who were impacted mentally by the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers stated that people who were classified as having the typical level of religious faith were impacted 60% less than those who didn’t.

For those who reported an increase in depression, it was 20% lower among those of faith.

“These studies show a relationship between religion and lower levels of distress during a global crisis,” said the Cambridge study’s coauthor Shaun Larcom. “It may be that religious faith builds resilience, and helps people cope with adversity by providing hope, consolation and meaning in tumultuous times.”