Study of a Holistic Health Program for United Methodist Clergy

Studies are beginning to surface that indicate that clergy suffer from high rates of chronic disease, including obesity (1, 2) and diabetes, arthritis, and hypertension (1). Clergy also experience above average rates of depression (3-5) and anxiety (3, 6). High stress is an additional common problem for clergy. A review of the literature on clergy stress cites the following five stressors as the most salient for clergy: mobility, low financial compensation, inadequate social support, high time demands, and intrusions on family boundaries (7). Health interventions for clergy are needed, and yet, as far as the investigators know, no clergy health interventions have been rigorously tested.

The investigators seek to design and rigorously test a holistic health intervention for United Methodist clergy in North Carolina. Based on the existing epidemiological data, the investigators hope to create a health intervention that will reduce Metabolic Syndrome, which is a set of risk factors that clusters with obesity and is related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and death (8, 9). Thus, the investigators seek to reduce rates of hypertension, diabetes, large abdominal circumference, high triglycerides, and low HDL. The investigators additionally seek to decrease stress, depression, and anxiety in clergy.

The investigators developed a 23-month intervention called Spirited Life. This intervention utilizes a combination of: 1) in-person workshops, 2) online videos, 3) contacts with a Wellness Advocate, and 4) small grants. 1) The workshops include the stress management program called Williams LifeSkills, which has a strong evidence base [see, for example, (10)]. The workshops also emphasize theological reasons to take care of one's health. 2) The online videos are the Naturally Slim weight loss and healthy eating program offered by ACAP Health. 3) The Wellness Advocates use Motivational Interviewing to work with clergy to set goals and check on progress. The frequency of Wellness Advocate contact may vary but is intended to be monthly, and generally occurs by phone. 4) The small grants are $500 offered during month 13 of the program and may be broadly used to promote health; participants submit a short application that must be approved by their Wellness Advocate.

The investigators will recruit clergy (Elders, Probationary Elders, Deacons, Interim Supply Pastors, and Local Pastors) serving a local church, as Bishop or as a District Superintendent, or as a campus minister or someone on Conference staff, in either the North Carolina Annual Conference or Western North Carolina Conference, as of July 2010. Additional inclusion criteria are that clergy must be age 18 or higher, and may be full or part-time pastors; student pastors; of any current health status; and non-United Methodist if they are serving a United Methodist Church in one of the North Carolina Conferences. The investigators will exclude extension ministers other than Conference staff and campus ministers, and the investigators will exclude pastors on leave.

This study employs a randomized multiple baseline research design in which all consenting clergy will be randomized to one of three cohorts, which differ in when they will begin receiving the 23-month intervention treatment. Cohort 1 will begin the intervention in January 2011; Cohort 2 in January 2012; and Cohort 3 in January 2013. As is standard in Multiple Baseline research designs, participants in all cohorts will participate in data collection throughout the study period, including prior to their initiation of the intervention treatment.

The investigators will collect both survey and health screening data. The survey data cover the following constructs: depression, anxiety, stress, life satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, hostility, mental and physical health functioning, burnout, spiritual well-being, nutrition, and exercise. The health screening data include height, weight, abdominal circumference, resting blood pressure and heart rate, fasting cholesterol, and hemoglobin A1c.

The data collection schedule varies by cohort, and both survey and health screening data will be sought at each data collection time point. All cohorts will provide baseline survey and health screening data in November 2010. During the 23-month intervention treatment period for each cohort, the investigators will seek data in months 9, 16, and 23. For Cohort 1, the investigators will also seek post-treatment data 6, 12, and 18 months after the end of the intervention period to examine the durability of effects. The investigators will do the same for Cohorts 2 and 3, dependent upon funding.

The investigators' primary analysis will be to compare Cohort 1 at the end of treatment to Cohort 3, which will provide data while waiting for treatment. Thus, embedded in this randomized multiple baseline design is a randomized controlled trial between Cohorts 1 and 3. The investigators therefore will seek data from Cohorts 1 and 3 in September 2011, April 2012, and November 2012. The investigators will also seek data from Cohort 2 in November 2011 to get updated baseline data before Cohort 2 participants start the intervention treatment.

If successful in reducing Metabolic Syndrome, stress, depression, and anxiety, the Spirited Life intervention could have a major impact in reducing health problems and improving the holistic health of clergy.