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Hamm SI, Zimmer Z, Ofstedal MB. Linking Multi-Dimensional Religiosity in Childhood and Later Adulthood: Implications for Later Life Health. Res Aging 2024:1640275241267298. [PMID: 39089867 DOI: 10.1177/01640275241267298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
This study examines religiosity patterns across childhood and later adulthood and their associations with later-life health using an experimental module from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study (N = 1649; Mean Age = 64.0). Latent class analysis is used to categorize individuals by commonalities in religious attendance, religious identity, and spiritual identity. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations are then explored using probable depression, disability, and mortality as health indicators. Results reveal complex patterns, often characterized by declining attendance and fluctuating identity. Relationships with health appear stronger in cross-sectional analyses, suggesting that some associations may be non-causal. Individuals with consistently strong religiosity show significantly better psychological health compared to their relatively non-religious counterparts. Moreover, the absence of religiosity in later adulthood is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Overall, the findings support the promotion of religiosity whilst acknowledging individual variations and highlighting the need for more individualistic approaches to the study of religion and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara I Hamm
- Global Aging and Community Initiative, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Zachary Zimmer
- Global Aging and Community Initiative, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Mary Beth Ofstedal
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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2
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Upenieks L, Zhu X. Life Course Religious Attendance and Cognitive Health at Midlife: Exploring Gendered Contingencies. Res Aging 2024; 46:95-112. [PMID: 37432269 DOI: 10.1177/01640275231188998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of literature suggests that religious attendance might mitigate processes of cognitive decline associated with aging. However, few studies have made adequate linkages with the life course perspective. We draw from over 35 years of prospective panel data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth (1979-2015) to assess the associations of cumulative exposures to religious attendance over the life course (childhood and midlife) for self-rated cognitive health and working memory (as assessed by the Serial 7s task). Our results suggest that midlife adults who attended religious services consistently between childhood and adulthood had higher self-rated cognitive health and better working memory. Women were also found to receive stronger benefits to self-rated cognitive health from consistent religious practice between childhood and adulthood. This pattern of findings allows for greater reflection into the neural enrichment and neural depletion arguments proposed to explain the religion/cognitive health link in previous research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xi Zhu
- Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
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3
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Muhammad T, Pai M, Afsal K, Saravanakumar P, Irshad CV. The association between loneliness and life satisfaction: examining spirituality, religiosity, and religious participation as moderators. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:301. [PMID: 37193948 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04017-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Future cohort of older adults may have to rely on non-family sources and forms of support, religion being one of them. This may be especially so, considering the recent longitudinal evidence that individuals are inclined to become more religious with increasing age. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to assess the association between loneliness and life satisfaction among older adults in India, and the extent to which the association between loneliness and life satisfaction is moderated by spirituality, religiosity, and religious participation. METHODS Data come from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, with a sample of 31,464 individuals aged 60 years and above. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to examine the independent association of loneliness and life satisfaction. Further, an interaction analysis was conducted to examine the extent to which the association between perceived loneliness and life satisfaction is moderated by spirituality, religiosity and religious participation among older Indians. RESULTS The prevalence of low life satisfaction (LLS) was 30.84%; a total of 37.25% of participants reported feeling lonely, 12.54% reported a lack of spiritual experience, 21.24% reported not being religious, and 19.31% reported not participating in religious activities. Older adults who felt lonely had higher odds of LLS relative to peers who were not lonely. Further, the adverse impact of loneliness on LLS among older Indians is moderated by their spirituality, religiosity, and religious participation. Specifically, the adverse impact of loneliness on LLS was less negatively pronounced among older adults who were spiritual, religious, and engaged in religious activities. CONCLUSIONS The study found an independent association between loneliness and lower life satisfaction among older adults in India. It also revealed that religiosity, spirituality and religious participation moderate the association between loneliness and lower life satisfaction. These findings, which underscore the health promoting benefits of religiosity and religious engagement, may be used to build on the interaction between religious and faith-based groups and public health professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Muhammad
- Department of Family & Generations, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, 400088, India.
| | - Manacy Pai
- Department of Sociology and Criminology, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - K Afsal
- Department of Migration & Urban Studies, International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, 400088, India
| | - Priya Saravanakumar
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Building 10, Level 7, 235 Jones St, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - C V Irshad
- School of Social Sciences and Languages, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, India
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Murniati N, Al Aufa B, Kusuma D, Kamso S. A Scoping Review on Biopsychosocial Predictors of Mental Health among Older Adults. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10909. [PMID: 36078627 PMCID: PMC9518331 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This review aims to map the available evidence on biopsychosocial predictors of elderly mental health. The articles were independently screened in three selected databases, namely Pubmed, Proquest and Google Scholar. The stages consist of identifying the research questions, seeking and selecting relevant evidence, mapping data, and concluding and reporting results. The PRISMA flowchart was used to show the PEOS evidence search flow. A total of 23,722 articles were obtained from all databases during the initial search, where 458 titles fulfilled the eligibility criteria at the title screening stage. Furthermore, 383 articles passed through abstract screening, where 75 met the inclusion criteria and were included for full-text screening. Based on the full-text screening stage, 28 articles were excluded and the remaining 47 articles that matched the search process were included for data extraction. This review creates biopsychosocial variables related to the mental health of the elderly. The biological factors consist of age, biomarkers, female, health conditions, chronic diseases, and physical function. Variables related to psychological factors are affect, personality traits, and subjective well-being. Meanwhile, social factors include smoking, sleep quality, physical activity, daily living, social support, marital status, loneliness, religiosity, spirituality, and early life conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nia Murniati
- Doctoral Program in Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
- Applied Health Science Department, Vocational Education Program, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
| | - Badra Al Aufa
- Applied Health Science Department, Vocational Education Program, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
| | - Dian Kusuma
- Centre for Health Economics & Policy Innovation, Imperial College Business School, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Sudijanto Kamso
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
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5
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Michaels JL, Hao F, Ritenour N, Aguilar N. Belongingness is a Mediating Factor Between Religious Service Attendance and Reduced Psychological Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2022; 61:1750-1764. [PMID: 35067840 PMCID: PMC8784213 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01482-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to test whether pre-pandemic religious service attendance relates to both lesser impact from the COVID-19 pandemic and lower levels of psychological distress among a sample of 645 American adults across nine US regions. A second aim was to test whether belongingness mediated these relationships. First, it was expected that more frequent pre-pandemic religious service attendance relates to belongingness, which mediates the religious service attendance and psychological distress association. Second, it was expected that people who felt greater belongingness also experienced less perceived impact from the pandemic. Results from a path model supported these hypotheses. This is among the first studies to provide empirical evidence for religion's association with psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay L Michaels
- Department of Psychology, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA.
| | - Feng Hao
- Department of Psychology, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA
| | - Nicole Ritenour
- Department of Psychology, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA
| | - Naomi Aguilar
- Department of Psychology, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA
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6
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Hill TD, Zeng L, Rambotti S, Mossakowski KN, Johnson RJ. Sad Eyes, Crooked Crosses: Religious Struggles, Psychological Distress and the Mediating Role of Psychosocial Resources. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2021; 60:2573-2591. [PMID: 33970412 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01273-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we employed data from the 2011 Miami-Dade Health Survey (n = 444) to formally test whether the association between religious struggles and psychological distress is mediated by psychosocial resources. We found that religious struggles were associated with lower levels of social support, self-esteem, the sense of control, and self-control. We also observed that religious struggles were associated with higher levels of non-specific emotional distress, depression, and anxiety, but not somatization. Our mediation analyses revealed significant indirect effects of religious struggles on emotional distress (not somatization) through social support, self-esteem, and the sense of control, but not self-control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terrence D Hill
- Department of Sociology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249-1644, USA.
| | - Liwen Zeng
- School of Sociology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Simone Rambotti
- Department of Sociology, Loyola University, New Orleans, USA
| | | | - Robert J Johnson
- Department of Sociology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
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Hill TD, Gonzalez KE, Upenieks L. Love thy Aged? A State-Level Analysis of Religiosity and Mobility in Aging Populations During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. J Aging Health 2021; 33:377-386. [PMID: 33382007 PMCID: PMC8685583 DOI: 10.1177/0898264320984016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: We test whether the association between state
religiosity and distance traveled is moderated by population age during the
novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: Mobility is
operationalized as the state-level average median distance traveled from
February 24 to May 4 across the contiguous United States. Shelter-in-place rates
are operationalized as the state-level percentage of users staying home. State
religiosity is measured with an index of aggregated religious identities,
beliefs, and practices. Population age is indicated by the state percentage of
adults aged 65 years and older. We model population mobility using regression
with state clustered robust SEs. Results: We
observe that religious states tend to travel more during the early stages of the
pandemic. However, the behavioral risks associated with state religiosity are
less pronounced in states with larger older populations.
Discussion: We contribute to our understanding of the social
patterning of pandemic mobility in aging populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terrence D Hill
- 12346The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
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8
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Page RL, Perez-Patron M, Han G, Burdette AM, Badejo M. Religiosity, Acculturation, and Preterm Birth in Mexican-Origin Women: A Pilot Study. HISPANIC HEALTH CARE INTERNATIONAL 2020; 19:155-162. [PMID: 33287567 DOI: 10.1177/1540415320976643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Explanations for racial disparities in preterm birth (PTB) are elusive, especially when comparing high rates in some racial groups with low rates in Mexican-immigrant women. The purpose of this study was to examine potential protective factors against PTB such as religiosity and acculturation. METHODS This study was a prospective investigation of Mexican- and U.S.-born pregnant women. Women were recruited from a low-income-serving prenatal clinic in Texas. Survey instruments included socioeconomic variables, acculturation, and religiosity/spirituality (R/S). Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between acculturation, religiosity, and PTB. Because of the low prevalence of PTB in our sample, we were not able to adjust for confounding characteristics. RESULTS Ninety-one low-income women, mostly Mexican immigrants, participated in the study. PTB in our sample was lower than the national average in the United States (5.5% vs. 9.9%) and was positively but moderately associated with high R/S. R/S scores were high, particularly for frequency of attendance, prayer, and religious coping. Women with lower acculturation had higher scores on the religiosity measures. CONCLUSION Further research is needed with a larger sample to include other ethnic and racial minorities to more fully understand the relationships between acculturation, religiosity, and PTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin L Page
- College of Nursing, 2655Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Maria Perez-Patron
- School of Public Health, 2655Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Gang Han
- School of Public Health, 2655Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Amy M Burdette
- Department of Sociology, 50580Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Megan Badejo
- College of Medicine, 2655Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, USA
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Ofstedal MB, Chiu CT, Jagger C, Saito Y, Zimmer Z. Religion, Life Expectancy, and Disability-Free Life Expectancy Among Older Women and Men in the United States. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2020; 74:e107-e118. [PMID: 31585014 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gby098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Existing literature shows religion is associated with health and survival separately. We extend this literature by considering health and survival together using a multistate life table approach to estimate total, disability-free, and disabled life expectancy (LE), separately for women and men, for 2 disability measures, and by 2 indicators of religion. METHOD Data come from the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2014 waves). Predictors include importance of religion and attendance at religious services. The disability measures are defined by ADLs and IADLs. Models control for sociodemographic and health covariates. RESULTS Attendance at religious services shows a strong and consistent association with life and health expectancy. Men and women who attend services at least once a week (compared with those who attend less frequently or never) have between 1.1 and 5.1 years longer total LE and between 1.0 and 4.3 years longer ADL disability-free LE. Findings for IADL disability are similar. Importance of religion is related to total and disabled LE (both ADL and IADL), but the differentials are smaller and less consistent. Controlling for sociodemographic and health factors does not explain these associations. DISCUSSION By estimating total, disability-free, and disabled LE, we are able to quantify the advantage of religion for health. Results are consistent with previous studies that have focused on health and mortality separately.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chi-Tsun Chiu
- Institute of European and American Studies, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Carol Jagger
- Institute of Health & Society and Newcastle University Institute for Ageing, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Zachary Zimmer
- Family Studies and Gerontology, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Canada
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10
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Hill TD, Carr DC, Burdette AM, Dowd-Arrow B. Life-Course Religious Attendance and Cognitive Functioning in Later Life. Res Aging 2020; 42:217-225. [PMID: 32266864 DOI: 10.1177/0164027520917059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Although several studies suggest that religious attendance is associated with better cognitive functioning in later life, researchers have generally failed to connect with any established life-course perspectives or theories of cognitive aging. Building on previous work, we examine the effects of life-course religious attendance on a range of cognitive functioning outcomes. We employ data from the religious life histories module of the 2016 Health and Retirement Study, a subsample of 516 adults aged 65 and older. Our key findings demonstrate that older adults who attended religious services for more of their life course tend to exhibit poorer working memory and mental status and better self-rated memory than older adults who attended less often. We contribute to previous research by reconceptualizing religious attendance as a cumulative life-course exposure, exploring the effects of religious attendance net of secular social engagement, and examining a wider range of cognitive functioning outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dawn C Carr
- Department of Sociology, Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Amy M Burdette
- Department of Sociology, Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Benjamin Dowd-Arrow
- Department of Sociology, Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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11
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Hill TD. Religion, Spirituality, and Health: Addressing the So-What Question. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnz108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Terrence D Hill
- School of Sociology, Social Sciences Building, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
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12
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Godbolt D, Vaghela P, Burdette AM, Hill TD. Religious Attendance and Body Mass: An Examination of Variations by Race and Gender. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2018; 57:2140-2152. [PMID: 28856558 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0490-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Studies of the association between religious attendance and body mass have yielded mixed results. In this paper, we consider intersectional variations by race and gender to advance our understanding of these inconsistencies. We use data from the 2006-2008 Health and Retirement Study to examine the association between religious attendance and three indicators of body mass: overall body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio (n = 11,457). For White women, attendance is either protective or unrelated to body mass. For Black women, attendance is consistently associated with increased body mass. We find that religious attendance is not associated with body mass among the men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Godbolt
- Department of Sociology, Florida State University, 526 Bellamy Building, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-2240, USA
| | - Preeti Vaghela
- Department of Sociology, Florida State University, 526 Bellamy Building, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-2240, USA
| | - Amy M Burdette
- Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy and Department of Sociology, Florida State University, 526 Bellamy Building, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-2240, USA.
| | - Terrence D Hill
- School of Sociology, University of Arizona, Social Sciences Building, Room 400, 1145 E. South Campus Drive, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
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Page RL, Peltzer JN, Burdette AM, Hill TD. Religiosity and Health: A Holistic Biopsychosocial Perspective. J Holist Nurs 2018; 38:89-101. [PMID: 29957093 DOI: 10.1177/0898010118783502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The resurgence of interest in the influence of religion and spirituality on health is examined within the context of the holistic paradigm and historical connection between nursing and spirituality. While nursing and spirituality often intersect with end-of-life considerations, this article presents findings from studies that demonstrate that religious involvement favors health and longevity across the life course. Examples include protective associations with stress, depression, self-rated health, and infant birth weight. Theoretical and empirical explanations for this relationship are offered, such as social and psychological resources and healthy behaviors. The effects of religion on biological functioning, including allostatic load and telomere length, are also discussed, although this area is understudied. Considerations for the "dark-side" of religious involvement are also offered. Suggestions for nurses wishing to protect and promote the health of their patients using a holistic approach include expanding knowledge of research on religion and health and advocating for patients' spiritual needs by conducting a comprehensive spiritual assessment in primary, secondary, and tertiary clinical settings.
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Burdette AM, Webb NS, Hill TD, Haynes SH, Ford JA. Religious Involvement and Marijuana Use for Medical and Recreational Purposes. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 2018; 48:421-434. [PMID: 29899577 PMCID: PMC5989257 DOI: 10.1177/0022042618770393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In this article, we use data from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) to examine the association between religious involvement and marijuana use for medical and recreational purposes in U.S. adults (N = 41,517). We also consider whether the association between religious involvement and marijuana use varies according to personal health status. Our results show that adults who attend religious services more frequently and hold more salient religious beliefs tend to exhibit lower rates of medical and recreational marijuana use. We also find that these “protective effects” are less pronounced for adults in poor health. Although our findings confirm previous studies of recreational marijuana use, we are the first to examine the association between religious involvement and medical marijuana use. Our moderation analyses suggest that the morality and social control functions of religious involvement may be offset under the conditions of poor health.
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15
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Horton SEB, Timmerman GM, Brown A. Factors influencing dietary fat intake among black emerging adults. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2018; 66:155-164. [PMID: 29023211 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2017.1390669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine what factors influenced dietary fat intake (DFI) among black emerging adults. PARTICIPANTS Sample included 251 black emerging adults, ages 18-25 years, living in the US. METHODS This was a nonexperimental cross-sectional study based on self-report data. RESULTS The sample had high DFI. Factors related to DFI were gender (rpb = -.22, p < .001), perceived barriers for healthy eating (r = .32, p < .001), and perceived self-efficacy (r = -.33, p < .001). These variables were also significant predictors for DFI. Gender was significantly related to DFI (b = -5.894, p = .000). Religious commitment moderated the effect of stress on DFI. CONCLUSIONS Gender, perceived barriers for healthy eating, and perceived self-efficacy were significant predictors for DFI. Religious commitment influenced the relationship of perceived stress and DFI. These findings may lead to interventions designed to reduce DFI and cardiovascular risks among black emerging adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalonda E B Horton
- a The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing , Austin , Texas , USA
| | - Gayle M Timmerman
- a The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing , Austin , Texas , USA
| | - Adama Brown
- a The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing , Austin , Texas , USA
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Hill TD, Vaghela P, Ellison CG, Rote S. Processes Linking Religious Involvement and Telomere Length. BIODEMOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY 2017; 63:167-188. [PMID: 28521619 DOI: 10.1080/19485565.2017.1311204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Although numerous studies suggest that religious involvement is associated with better health and longer life expectancies, it is unclear whether these general patterns extend to cellular aging. The mechanisms linking indicators of religious involvement with indicators of cellular aging are also undefined. We employed longitudinal data from the 2004 and 2008 Health and Retirement Study, a national probability sample of Americans aged 50 and older, to test whether average telomere length varied according to level of religious attendance. We also tested several potential mechanisms. Our results showed that respondents who attended religious services more frequently in 2004 also exhibited fewer stressful events, lower rates of smoking, fewer symptoms of depression, and lower levels of C-reactive protein in 2008. Respondents who increased their level of attendance from 2004 to 2008 also exhibited lower rates of smoking in 2008. Although religious attendance was not directly associated with telomere length, our mediation analyses revealed significant indirect effects through depression and smoking, but not stressful events or C-reactive protein. We conclude that religious attendance may promote telomere length indirectly by reducing symptoms of depression and the risk of smoking. There was no evidence to support stressful events or C-reactive protein as mechanisms of religious attendance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terrence D Hill
- a School of Sociology , The University of Arizona , Tucson , Arizona , USA
| | - Preeti Vaghela
- b Department of Sociology , Florida State University , Tallahassee , Florida , USA
| | - Christopher G Ellison
- c Department of Sociology , University of Texas at San Antonio , San Antonio , Texas , USA
| | - Sunshine Rote
- d Kent School of Social Work , University of Louisville , Louisville , Kentucky , USA
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17
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Pascoe AE, Hill TD, Mossakowski KN, Johnson RJ. Religious Involvement and Perceptions of Control: Evidence from the Miami-Dade Health Survey. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2016; 55:862-873. [PMID: 26118384 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-015-0081-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This study uses data collected through the 2011 Miami-Dade Health Survey (n = 444) to test whether religious involvement is associated with three distinct control beliefs. Regression results suggest that people who exhibit high levels of religious involvement tend to report higher levels of the sense of control, self-control, and the health locus of control than respondents who exhibit low levels of religious involvement. Although this study suggests that religious involvement can promote perceptions of control over one's own life, this pattern is apparently concentrated at the high end of the distribution for religious involvement, indicating a threshold effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita E Pascoe
- Department of Sociology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Terrence D Hill
- School of Sociology, University of Arizona, Social Sciences Building, 1145 E. South Campus Drive, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
| | | | - Robert J Johnson
- Department of Sociology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
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Hill TD, Burdette AM, Taylor J, Angel JL. Religious Attendance and the Mobility Trajectories of Older Mexican Americans: An Application of the Growth Mixture Model. JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR 2016; 57:118-134. [PMID: 26957138 DOI: 10.1177/0022146515627850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Although several studies have examined the association between religious involvement and physical functioning, there is no consistent empirical evidence concerning the true nature of the association. The Hispanic population is also surprisingly understudied in previous work. In this article, we employ seven waves of data from the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly to examine the association between religious attendance and performance-based mobility trajectories among older Mexican Americans. Growth mixture estimates reveal three latent classes of mobility trajectories: (1) high, (2) moderate, and (3) low. Multinomial logistic regression estimates show that the odds of being classified as having low mobility (versus high and moderate mobility) are lower for respondents who attend religious services than for respondents who never attend. Religious attendance does not distinguish between moderate and high mobility. Our regression results confirm that religious attendance is associated with favorable mobility trajectories among older Mexican Americans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John Taylor
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
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Kim J, Smith TW, Kang JH. Religious Affiliation, Religious Service Attendance, and Mortality. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2015; 54:2052-2072. [PMID: 24939004 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-014-9902-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Very few studies have examined the effects of both religious affiliation and religiosity on mortality at the same time, and studies employing multiple dimensions of religiosity other than religious attendance are rare. Using the newly created General Social Survey-National Death Index data, our report contributes to the religion and mortality literature by examining religious affiliation and religiosity at the same time. Compared to Mainline Protestants, Catholics, Jews, and other religious groups have lower risk of death, but Black Protestants, Evangelical Protestants, and even those with no religious affiliation are not different from Mainline Protestants. While our study is consistent with previous findings that religious attendance leads to a reduction in mortality, we did not find other religious measures, such as strength of religious affiliation, frequency of praying, belief in an afterlife, and belief in God to be associated with mortality. We also find interaction effects between religious affiliation and attendance. The lowest mortality of Jews and other religious groups is more apparent for those with lower religious attendance. Thus, our result may emphasize the need for other research to focus on the effects of religious group and religious attendance on mortality at the same time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jibum Kim
- Department of Sociology, Sungkyunkwan University, 25-2 Sungkyunkwan-ro, Jongno-gu, Faculty Hall, #513, Seoul, 110-745, Korea.
| | - Tom W Smith
- GSS, NORC at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jeong-han Kang
- Department of Sociology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
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Hill TD, Rote SM, Ellison CG, Burdette AM. Religious Attendance and Biological Functioning: A Multiple Specification Approach. J Aging Health 2014; 26:766-785. [PMID: 24733752 DOI: 10.1177/0898264314529333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study explores the role of religious attendance across a wide range of biological markers. METHOD The data are drawn from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project to assess continuous and categorical biomarker specifications. RESULTS Across specifications, higher levels of attendance are associated with lower levels of pulse rate and overall allostatic load. Depending on the specification, higher levels of attendance are also associated with lower levels of body mass, diastolic blood pressure, C-reactive protein, and Epstein-Barr virus. Attendance is unrelated to dehydroepiandrosterone, systolic blood pressure, and glycosylated hemoglobin across specifications. DISCUSSION The study confirms that religious attendance is associated with healthier biological functioning in later life. Additional research is needed to verify these patterns with other data sources and to test viable mediators of the association between religious attendance and biological risk.
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Rote S, Hill TD, Ellison CG. Religious attendance and loneliness in later life. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2012; 53:39-50. [PMID: 22555887 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gns063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Studies show that loneliness is a major risk factor for health issues in later life. Although research suggests that religious involvement can protect against loneliness, explanations for this general pattern are underdeveloped and undertested. In this paper, we propose and test a theoretical model, which suggests that social integration and social support are key mechanisms that link religious attendance and loneliness. DESIGN AND METHODS To formally test our theoretical model, we use data from the National Social Life Health and Aging Project (2005/2006), a large national probability sample of older adults aged 57-85 years. RESULTS We find that religious attendance is associated with higher levels of social integration and social support and that social integration and social support are associated with lower levels of loneliness. A series of mediation tests confirm our theoretical model. IMPLICATIONS Taken together, our results suggest that involvement in religious institutions may protect against loneliness in later life by integrating older adults into larger and more supportive social networks. Future research should test whether these processes are valid across theoretically relevant subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunshine Rote
- Department of Sociology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2270, USA.
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