People who regularly attend religious services appear to live longer, healthier lives than those who attend such services infrequently or not at all.
Researchers from the California Public Health Foundation and the California Department of Health Services conclude that being an active member of a religious organization can improve self-esteem, instill a sense of community, and encourage people to take good care of their health.
Religious organizations are frequently involved in public health campaigns and supportive programs to assist marginal members of their communities, added Dr. William J. Strawbridge, lead author of the study, which appears in the June issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
The 28-year study of 5,286 Californians found that frequent attenders of religious services had lower death rates, were more likely to stop smoking, exercised more, had more social contacts and stayed married longer than those who rarely or never attended church or other religious groups.
The religious faiths represented in the study were primarily Christian and included Protestants, Catholics, Fundamentalists, Seventh Day Adventist/Mormons and others/none.
The researchers speculate that religious people may derive psychological benefits from a belief in the healing ability of faith and may have better mental attitudes toward disease and death as a result of strong belief systems.
Another finding was that among religious men and women, women tended to have better overall health and lower death rates. Strawbridge and colleagues suggest that women are more likely than men to use their faith as a coping mechanism in dealing with life stress and illness.
Further study of how religious organizations affect behavior and attitude could help researchers find ways to improve health and well-being, especially among depressed and isolated elderly members of the community.
July 10, 1997
SOURCE: American Journal of Public HealthReturn to: Religious Articles Archives