Some critics reference bias or scientifically flawed studies as evidence of higher levels of mental illness amongst Jehovah's Witnesses in comparison with contemporary society and attempt to identify reasons why this could be the case
The link on "critics" goes to jwfacts! Well done, Spade! But now you need to refute it.
The Mental Health of Jehovah's Witnesses by John Spencer is widely quoted though the findings are dubious. This found that in the 3 year period from 1971 to and including 1973, 7,546 inpatients were admitted to the West Australian Mental Health Service Psychiatric Hospitals, of which 50 were active Witnesses. This represents a rate of 2.54/1000 for the general population and 4.17/1000 for Jehovah's Witnesses.
That's a worry, considering that jws are discouraged from seeking professional help. True happiness is found in more meetings, more study, more field service, isn't it?
Psychiatric and psychological evaluations don't ask about or include religion in their assessments. A legitimate psychiatric hospital doesn't maintain religious beliefs in their patient records. Some studies were conducted while Jehovah's Witnesses were being persecuted by the secular authorities in the 1940's. This can hardly be deemed scientifically accurate or non-bias
Any reference for what psychological evaluations do or don't include, or just "take my word for it"? The Spencer study was conducted in the 1970s, not the 1940s, so the second sentence is irrelevant.
Retro