Effects of Religiosity Dimensions on Physical Health across Non-elderly Black and White American Panels

Abstract

This investigation—based on a three-wave national panel of Black and White Americans aged 64 or younger at wave one—gauges variation across races in the indirect, moderating, and direct effects of public and subjective religiosity on a latent physical health outcome comprising chronic illnesses, subjective health, and functional limitations. The multi-population LISREL model specifically addresses the mechanisms through which religiosity is typically presumed to indirectly foster health: enhancement of social support and self-appraisals, and suppression of stress-exposure and unhealthy habits. The extent to which religiosity buffers or exacerbates the impact of specific stressors is also examined. The impact of religiosity on health appears to hinge on race and religiosity dimension: Public religiosity indirectly enhances Blacks’ health slightly, and apparently buffers any negative impact of financial strain on their health. Public religiosity does not influence Whites’ health; and subjective religiosity does not influence health in either race. The models control for multiple socio-demographic factors.

Exploring the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between spirituality and health: Implications for the Latino health paradox.

“…Spirituality and religiosity have also been associated with various outcomes related to well-being including morbidity, mortality, mental health, and health attitudes (Hackney & Sanders, 2003; Miller & Thoresen, 2003; Rasic, Robinson, Bolton, Bienvenu, & Sareen, 2011; Reutter & Bigatti, 2014; Rew & Wong, 2006; Salgado, 2014). Research overall shows that religious involvement and spirituality benefit immune function, cardiovascular health, neuroendocrine function, and other physical health outcomes (Doane & Elliott, 2016; Jim et al, 2015; Oates, 2016; Seeman, Dubin, & Seeman, 2003).…”

Assessing the Association Between Pakistani Women’s Religious Beliefs and Sports Participation

“…In Pakistan, more than 90% of the population practices Islam. The results of this study reveal that although almost 50% of the participants do not participate in sporting activities, the majority believe that it is very important to participate in sporting activities and that Islam does not have any conflict with sports participation (Miles and Benn, 2016;Oates, 2016;Laar et al, 2019a,b). These results can be explained such as: in Pakistan, many people perform the cultural (including traditional sports) and ritual activities together which can normally see in national media too, which proofs the good image of religion and does not leave a conflict nature of religion with sports for the people of Pakistan.…”

“…These results make this study relevant and unique in the field of measuring the religious believes and sports participation especial in Pakistani women context. However, there are some exceptional studies that highlight that religion (mainly Islam) does not prevent women's participation in sports (Miles and Benn, 2016;Oates, 2016;Laar et al, 2019b). In addition, Miles and Benn (2016) note that any reduction is not a consequence of religion per se but of the conflict between the cultural requirements of Islamic and Western sports-related environments, such as the wearing of sporting clothes and the intermingling of the sexes during sports participation.…”

Family Support and Church Attendance as Predictors of Elderly’s Quality of Life at Southern Mindanao

“…Studies show that elderly who regularly engage in religious practices experience psychophysiological health benefits including less loneliness which promotes positive life outlook and sense of belongingness, improves mood, reduce blood pressure, better cognitive and immune system functioning and physical mobility (Hill et al, 2006;Kim et al, 2015;Stecz & Kocur, 2015;Tariga, 2016). Given that religious attendance show health benefits in myriad ways, it is not startling to discover that religious engagement may also predict better quality of life for elderly in general (Oates, 2016).…”