Psychological Distress among Clergy at a Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

Background: Clergy frequently serve as informal mental-health resources in Nigerian communities, yet evidence concerning their own psychological well-being remains limited. This study estimated the proportion of seminary-associated clergy screening positive for psychological distress and explored occupational experiences, coping practices, and barriers to professional help-seeking. Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design was used at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. The quantitative component included 103 practising clergy recruited by convenience sampling. Psychological distress was screened with the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) using the study threshold of >=3. Two focus group discussions and two key informant interviews were conducted with purposively selected participants. Quantitative and qualitative strands were analysed separately and integrated during interpretation. Results: Twenty-five of 103 participants screened positive on the GHQ-12 (24.3%; Wilson 95% CI 17.0%-33.4%). Exact tests showed no statistically significant association between GHQ-12 screening status and age, sex, marital status, ministry type, ministry level, or educational qualification (all p>.05). Five qualitative themes were identified: burden of spiritual and moral expectations; emotional labour; loneliness and restricted emotional disclosure; spiritual coping and reluctance to seek professional help; and mental-health literacy with openness to collaborative care. Conclusion: A substantial minority of this single-site convenience sample screened positive for psychological distress. Qualitative findings contextualised distress in relation to role expectations, emotional labour, restricted disclosure, spiritual coping, stigma, and confidentiality concerns. The findings support confidential clergy-focused mental-health support and stronger links between theological training and professional mental-health services, while recognising that the GHQ-12 is a screening rather than a diagnostic instrument.