The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Christopher G Ellison - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Religious Involvement as a social determinant of sleep an initial review and conceptual model
Sleep Health, 2018Co-Authors: Terrence D Hill, Reed T Deangelis, Christopher G EllisonAbstract:Although numerous empirical studies show that Religious Involvement is associated with better health and longer life expectancies, researchers have virtually ignored possible links between Religious Involvement and sleep. To spark greater attention to this important and understudied area of sleep research, we review previous population-based studies, propose an initial conceptual model of the likely pathways for these associations, and offer several avenues for future research. Our review and critical examination suggest that Religious Involvement is indeed a social determinant of sleep in the United States. More Religious adults in particular tend to exhibit healthier sleep outcomes than their less Religious counterparts. This general pattern can be seen across large population-based studies using a narrow range of religion measurements and sleep outcomes. Our conceptual model, grounded in the broader religion and health literature, suggests that Religious Involvement may be associated with healthier sleep outcomes by limiting mental, chemical, and physiological arousal associated with psychological distress, substance use, stress exposure, and allostatic load. As we move forward, researchers should incorporate (1) more rigorous longitudinal research designs, (2) more sophisticated sleep measurements, (3) more complex conceptual models, (4) more comprehensive measurements of religion and related concepts, and (5) more measures of Religious struggles to better assess the "dark side" of religion. Research along these lines would provide a more thorough understanding of the intersection of Religious Involvement and population sleep.
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processes linking Religious Involvement and telomere length
Biodemography and Social Biology, 2017Co-Authors: Terrence D Hill, Christopher G Ellison, Preeti Vaghela, Sunshine RoteAbstract:ABSTRACTAlthough 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 a...
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dimensions of Religious Involvement and leukocyte telomere length
Social Science & Medicine, 2016Co-Authors: Terrence D Hill, Christopher G Ellison, Amy M Burdette, John W Taylor, Katherine L FriedmanAbstract:Although numerous studies suggest that Religious Involvement is associated with a wide range of favorable health outcomes, it is unclear whether this general pattern extends to cellular aging. In this paper, we tested whether leukocyte telomere length varies according to several dimensions of Religious Involvement. We used cross-sectional data from the Nashville Stress and Health Study (2011-2014), a large probability sample of 1252 black and white adults aged 22 to 69 living in Davidson County, TN, USA. Leukocyte telomere length was measured using the monochrome multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction method with albumin as the single-copy reference sequence. Dimensions of Religious Involvement included religiosity, Religious support, and Religious coping. Our multivariate analyses showed that religiosity (an index of Religious attendance, prayer frequency, and Religious identity) was positively associated with leukocyte telomere length, even with adjustments for Religious support, Religious coping, age, gender, race, education, employment status, income, financial strain, stressful life events, marital status, family support, friend support, depressive symptoms, smoking, heavy drinking, and allostatic load. Unlike religiosity, Religious support and Religious coping were unrelated to leukocyte telomere length across models. Depressive symptoms, smoking, heavy drinking, and allostatic load failed to explain any of the association between religiosity and telomere length. To our knowledge, this is the first population-based study to link Religious Involvement and cellular aging. Although our data suggest that adults who frequently attend Religious services, pray with regularity, and consider themselves to be Religious tend to exhibit longer telomeres than those who attend and pray less frequently and do not consider themselves to be Religious, additional research is needed to establish the mechanisms underlying this association.
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Religious Involvement beliefs about god and the sense of mattering among older adults
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 2010Co-Authors: Scott Schieman, Alex Bierman, Christopher G EllisonAbstract:Using data from a 2001-2002 sample of adults aged 65 and older living in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, we examine the associations among Religious Involvement (as measured by the frequency of attendance at Religious services and praying), the belief in divine control, and the sense of mattering-a key component of the self-concept. We also assess the extent to which these patterns vary by gender, race, and education. Findings indicate indirect effects of Religious attendance on mattering through divine control beliefs and the frequency of social contact. Praying increases mattering indirectly only through divine control beliefs. Moreover, divine control beliefs are more strongly associated with mattering among women, African Americans, and individuals with less education. We discuss the contribution of these findings for theory about the links between Religious Involvement, beliefs about God, and psychosocial resources, and the influence of core dimensions of social status and stratification.
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Religious Involvement and risk of major depression in a prospective nationwide study of african american adults
Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 2009Co-Authors: Christopher G Ellison, Kevin J FlannellyAbstract:This study investigated the association between Religious Involvement and major depression in 607 African American adults, using longitudinal data from the National Survey of Black Americans. Logistic regression found that survey participants who reported receiving "a great deal" of guidance from religion in their day-to-day lives at Time 1 (1988-1989) were roughly half as likely (OR = 0.47, p < 0.01) to have major depression at Time 2 (1992), controlling for sociodemographic and psychological factors, and major depression at baseline. The odds of major depression were also lower for persons with high self-esteem (OR = 0.41, p < 0.01) and those who reported having satisfying relationships with friends and family members (OR = 0.51, p < 0.05) at baseline. No association was found between Religious attendance or church support and major depression. The possible mechanisms through which Religious Involvement may protect against depression, especially among African Americans, are discussed.
Harold G Koenig - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Religious Involvement anxiety depression and ptsd symptoms in us veterans and active duty military
Journal of Religion & Health, 2018Co-Authors: Harold G Koenig, Nagy A Youssef, John P Oliver, Donna Ames, Kerry Haynes, Fred Volk, Ellen J TengAbstract:Religious Involvement is associated with mental health and well-being in non-military populations. This study examines the relationship between religiosity and PTSD symptoms, and the mediating effects of anxiety and depression in Veterans and Active Duty Military (V/ADM). This was a cross-sectional multi-site study involving 585 V/ADM recruited from across the USA. Inclusion criteria were having served in a combat theater and PTSD symptoms. Demographics, military characteristics, and social factors were assessed, along with measurement of religiosity, PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety. Bivariate and multivariate analyses examined the religiosity-PTSD relationship and the mediating effects of anxiety/depression on that relationship in the overall sample and stratified by race/ethnic group (White, Black, Hispanic). In bivariate analyses, the religiosity-PTSD relationship was not significant in the overall sample or in Whites. However, the relationship was significant in Blacks (r = - 0.16, p = 0.01) and in Hispanics (r = 0.30, p = 0.03), but in opposite directions. In the overall sample, religiosity was inversely related to anxiety (r = - 0.07, p = 0.07) and depression (r = - 0.21, p < 0.0001), especially in Blacks (r = - 0.21, p = 0.001, and r = - 0.34, p < 0.0001, respectively); however, in Hispanics, religiosity was positively related to anxiety (r = 0.32, p = 0.02) as it was to PTSD symptoms. When anxiety/depression was controlled for in multivariate analyses, the religiosity-PTSD relationship in the overall sample reversed from negative to positive, approaching statistical significance (B = 0.05, SE = 0.03, p = 0.079). In Blacks, the inverse association between religiosity and PTSD was explained by quality of relationships, whereas the positive relationship in Hispanics was explained by anxiety symptoms. In conclusion, religiosity was inversely related to PTSD symptoms in Blacks, positively related to PTSD in Hispanics, and unrelated to PTSD in the overall sample and in Whites. Anxiety/depression partially mediated the relationship in the overall sample and in Hispanics. Although longitudinal studies will be necessary to determine how these relationships come about, consideration should be given to spiritual/Religious interventions that target anxiety/depression in V/ADM with PTSD.
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association of Religious Involvement and suicide
JAMA Psychiatry, 2016Co-Authors: Harold G KoenigAbstract:According to an April 2016 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate among white women in the United States increased by 60% from 4.7 per 100000 in 1999 to 7.5 per 100000 in 2014.1 The article in this issue of JAMA Psychiatry by VanderWeele et al2 on Religious service attendance in 1996andthesuiciderate from 1996to2010among89708women(97.5%white) in theNurse’s Health Study, then, is a timely one. This report on US women found that among those attending Religious services once per week ormore, the incident suicide riskwas 84% lower than in thoseneverattendingReligiousservices (hazardratio,0.16;95% CI, 0.06-0.46), withmore than a 5-fold reduction in incidence rate from7per 100000person-years toonly 1per 100000person-years.The resultswere similar after excludingwomenwho were depressed or had chronic illness at baseline in 1996. Howdoes onemake sense of these findings at such a critical timewhensuicideamongwhitewomen in theUnitedStates is increasing? The report by VanderWeele et al2 is particularly intriguinggivenSigmundFreud’sdescriptionof religionas the “universal obsessional neurosis of humanity” in Future of an Illusion.3 He goes on to say that “turning away from religion is bound to occur with the fatal inevitability of a process of growth”andasserts that religion“comprises a systemofwishful illusions together with a disavowal of reality, such as we find in an isolated form nowhere else but amentia, in a state of blissful hallucinatory confusion....”3(p43) Although it is one of the first studies to use longitudinal data to prospectively explore the effect of Religious service attendance on completed suicide, the report by VanderWeele et al2 is not the first to examine the association between Religious Involvement and suicide. A systematic review of the literature prior to 2010 on religion and suicide identified 141 quantitative studies, 106 (75.2%) of which reported fewer suicidal thoughts, attempts,or completedsuicideamongthose who were more Religious.4 What, then,mightbetheexplanation?Asinvestigatorsnote, mostmajorworld religions teach that suicide for personal suffering is wrong. Moral beliefs of this kindmay be particularly important for Catholics, in whom the findings were most robust.2Until the 1997CatholicCatechismmademental illness an exception, suicidewas considered amortal sin that forever condemned theperson tohell (inpart, because thepersonwas unable to confess the sinand receiveabsolution for it).5Believing that suicidemay separate a person from family and loved ones forall eternity is apowerfulbelief that couldavert suicide. Quite surprising in thestudybyVanderWeeleet al2was the small role that social integration seemed to play. First, the Religious serviceattendancecomponentof social integrationwas themost predictive of 6 other indicators. Second, controlling for social integrationhad little effect on the strengthof the associationbetween Religious service attendanceandsuicide for those attending service weekly or more often. One cannot argue, then, that the effect was simply due to greater social support or integration among frequent attendees, as some explain the effects of religion on other health outcomes.6 The association seemed to persist even after controlling for depressive symptomsandchronic healthproblems,which is also surprising given that these are among the strongest risk factors for suicide, especially among women.7,8 Depression, however, was measured by VanderWeele et al2 in terms of symptoms, not disorder. Religious Involvement has been associated with less depressive disorder,9 less cortical atrophy in those at high risk for depressive disorder,10 and faster recovery, especially in those with physical illness.11,12 Someof theeffect, as theauthorsnote,mayhavebeendue to positivemental states not controlled for in the analyses.2 A study of 132 individuals withmajor depressive disorder diagnosed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interviewfoundthatwhile severityofdepressive symptomsdidnot vary across levels of religiosity, positivemental states such as meaningandpurpose,optimism,gratitude,andgenerosityprogressively increased with increasing Religious Involvement (Figure).13 Positive emotions, cognitions, and activities are Related article page 845
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Religious Involvement and adaptation in female family caregivers
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2016Co-Authors: Harold G Koenig, Bruce Nelson, Sally F Shaw, Salil Saxena, Harvey J CohenAbstract:Objectives To examine the relationship between Religious Involvement (RI) and adaptation of women caring for family members with severe physical or neurological disability. Design Two-site cross-sectional study. Setting Community. Participants A convenience sample of 251 caregivers was recruited. RI and caregiver adaptation (assessed by perceived stress, caregiver burden, and depressive symptoms) were measured using standard scales, along with caregiver characteristics, social support, and health behaviors. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify relationships and mediating and moderating factors. Results Religious Involvement (RI) was associated with better caregiver adaptation independent of age, race, education, caregiver health, care recipient's health, social support, and health behaviors (B = −0.09, standard error = 0.04, t = −2.08, P = .04). This association was strongest in caregivers aged 58–75 and spouses and for perceived stress in blacks. Conclusion Religious Involvement (RI) in female caregivers is associated with better caregiver adaptation, especially for those who are older, spouses of the care recipients, and blacks. These results are relevant to the development of future interventions that provide support to family caregivers.
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Religious Involvement and telomere length in women family caregivers
Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 2016Co-Authors: Harold G Koenig, Bruce Nelson, Sally F Shaw, Salil Saxena, Harvey J CohenAbstract:Telomere length (TL) is an indicator of cellular aging associated with longevity and psychosocial stress. We examine here the relationship between Religious Involvement and TL in 251 stressed female family caregivers recruited into a 2-site study. Religious Involvement, perceived stress, caregiver burden, depressive symptoms, and social support were measured and correlated with TL in whole blood leukocytes. Results indicated a U-shaped relationship between religiosity and TL. Those scoring in the lowest 10% on religiosity tended to have the longest telomeres (5743 bp ± 367 vs. 5595 ± 383, p = 0.069). However, among the 90% of caregivers who were at least somewhat Religious, religiosity was significantly and positively related to TL after controlling for covariates (B = 1.74, SE = 0.82, p = 0.034). Whereas nonReligious caregivers have relatively long telomeres, we found a positive relationship between religiosity and TL among those who are at least somewhat Religious.
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belief into action scale a comprehensive and sensitive measure of Religious Involvement
Religion, 2015Co-Authors: Harold G Koenig, Zhizhong Wang, Faten Al Zaben, Ahmad AdiAbstract:We describe here a new measure of Religious commitment, the Belief into Action (BIAC) scale. This measure was designed to be a comprehensive and sensitive measure of Religious Involvement that could discriminate individuals across the Religious spectrum, and avoid the problem of ceiling effects that have haunted the study of highly-Religious populations. Many scales assess Religious beliefs, where assent to belief is often widespread, subjective, and a superficial assessment of Religious commitment. While people may say they believe, what does that mean in terms of action? This 10-item scale seeks to convert simple belief into action, where action is assessed in terms of what individuals say is most important in their lives, how they spend their time, and where they put their financial resources. We summarize here the psychometric characteristics of the BIAC in two very different populations: stressed female caregivers in Southern California and North Carolina, and college students attending three universities in Mainland China. We conclude that the BIAC is a sensitive, reliable, and valid measure of Religious commitment in these two samples, and encourage research in other population groups using this scale to determine its psychometric properties more generally.
David R Williams - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Religious Involvement and cigarette smoking in young adults
2017Co-Authors: Mary A Whooley, Alisa L Boyd, Julius M Gardin, David R WilliamsAbstract:Background: Results of previous studies have suggested that Involvement in Religious activities may be associated with lower rates of smoking. We sought to determine whether frequent attendance at Religious services is associated with less smoking among young adults. Methods: This prospective cohort study of 4569 adults aged 20 to 32 years included approximately equal numbers of blacks and whites and men and women from 4 cities in the United States who attended the 1987/1988 examination of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Frequency of attendance at Religious services and denominational affiliation were determined by self-report questionnaire in 1987/ 1988. Cigarette smoking was determined by interview at this time and again 3 years later. Results: Of 4544 participants who completed the tobacco questionnaire in 1987/1988, 34% (891/2598) who attended Religious services less than once per month or never and 23% (451/1946) who attended Religious services at least once per month reported current smoking (odds ratio [OR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52.0; P.001). This association between less frequent attendance at Religious services and current smoking was found in most denominations and remained significant after adjusting for potential confounding variables (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.8; P.001). During 3-year followup, nonsmokers who reported little or no Religious Involvement had an increased risk of smoking initiation (adjusted OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.7; P.001). Conclusions: Young adults who attend Religious services have lower rates of current and subsequent cigarette smoking. The potential health benefits associated with Religious Involvement deserve further study. Arch Intern Med. 2002;162:1604-1610
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multidimensional Religious Involvement and tobacco smoking patterns over 9 10 years a prospective study of middle aged adults in the united states
Social Science & Medicine, 2015Co-Authors: Natalie Slopen, Zinzi Bailey, Michelle A Albert, David R WilliamsAbstract:This study examined the relationship between multiple dimensions of Religious Involvement and transitions of tobacco smoking abstinence, persistence, cessation and relapse over 9–10 years of follow-up in a national sample of adults in the United States. Using data provided at baseline and follow-up, participants were categorized as non-smokers, persistent smokers, ex-smokers, and relapsed smokers. Religious Involvement over the two time points were categorized into combinations of “high” and “low” Involvement within the domains of (a) Religious attendance, (b) Religious importance, (c) spiritual importance, (d) Religious/spiritual comfort seeking, and (e) Religious/spiritual decision-making. High levels of Religious Involvement across five dimensions (Religious attendance, Religious importance, spiritual importance, Religious/spiritual comfort-seeking, and Religious/spiritual decision-making) were associated with lower odds of being a persistent smoker or ex-smoker. Religious Involvement was not associated with smoking cessation among smokers at baseline. Interventions to increase smoking abstinence may be more effective if they draw on ties to Religious and spiritual organizations and beliefs. Meanwhile, Religious Involvement is unlikely to affect smoking cessation effectiveness.
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Religious Involvement social support and health among african american women on the east side of detroit
Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2003Co-Authors: Juliana Van Olphen, Linda M Chatters, Amy J Schulz, Barbara A Israel, Laura Klem, Edith A Parker, David R WilliamsAbstract:A growing body of evidence suggests that Religious Involvement is protective to both mental and physical health1–15 This finding has been consistent across studies despite differences of samples, designs, methodologies, measures of Religious Involvement, health outcomes and population characteristics. Despite widespread recognition of the complexity of Religious Involvement, much of this research has assessed Religious Involvement by a single measure, most often Religious affiliation or frequency of church attendance.3,6,16–19 Prior research that has included multiple indicators of Religious Involvement has begun to: clarify what dimensions (and indicators) are most salient to health outcomes; suggest mechanisms that may account for associations between Religious Involvement20; and assist in understanding how dimensions of Religious Involvement are differentially related to health concerns.1 For example, subjective Religious Involvement (e.g., faith or Religious belief) may influence physical health through encouraging behaviors that reduce health risks, such as avoidance of smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use.20 On the other hand, nonorganizational Religious Involvement (e.g., prayer or bible reading) may positively influence mental health through encouraging emotions such as hope and forgiveness and physical health through potential effects on physiologic processes. Greater specificity in the independent and dependent variables in research on religion and health will help clarify how Religious Involvement influences health. There are a variety of mechanisms through which religion may exert a positive influence on health. For example, many scholars agree that membership in Religious communities may enhance social resources in ways that are beneficial for health.20–25 Considerable evidence shows that social support is associated with better mental and physical health,26–31 yet researchers have only recently begun to document the role of social support in religion and health.32 Recent research has found that those who attend church more frequently have a greater number of social ties and interactions, rate their social ties more positively, and benefit from more frequent exchanges of goods, services, and information, than do those who attend church less frequently.20–25,32–34 The conceptual framework that guides this study is adapted from a multidimensional model of Religious Involvement described in the literature3,6,7,16,35 and from a stress process model that reflects longstanding evidence of a strong, negative association between stressors and health.36 The context-specific stress process model used in these analyses was developed using a community-based participatory process that engaged community residents in discussions about stressors, as well as “things that make it not so bad” in their own lives and the lives of other east side Detroit residents.37 Community residents' identification of different forms of Religious Involvement as important buffers against the adverse effects of stress on health reinforced the importance of using a multidimensional model of Religious Involvement.35,36 This article explores the relationship between Religious Involvement and health among African-American women on the East Side of Detroit. This study was conducted using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach. To our knowledge, there have been no CBPR studies to date that have explored the role of religion in health. We describe the use of a CBPR approach to enhance the relevance of study findings for the community.15 We extend previous research on religion and health by using multiple indicators of Religious Involvement and health to examine the direct effects of religion on health and the mediating role of social support in the relationship between religion and health, while controlling for a number of correlates of Religious Involvement.
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Religious Involvement and cigarette smoking in young adults the cardia study
JAMA Internal Medicine, 2002Co-Authors: Mary A Whooley, Alisa L Boyd, Julius M Gardin, David R WilliamsAbstract:Background Results of previous studies have suggested that Involvement in Religious activities may be associated with lower rates of smoking. We sought to determine whether frequent attendance at Religious services is associated with less smoking among young adults. Methods This prospective cohort study of 4569 adults aged 20 to 32 years included approximately equal numbers of blacks and whites and men and women from 4 cities in the United States who attended the 1987/1988 examination of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Frequency of attendance at Religious services and denominational affiliation were determined by self-report questionnaire in 1987/1988. Cigarette smoking was determined by interview at this time and again 3 years later. Results Of 4544 participants who completed the tobacco questionnaire in 1987/1988, 34% (891/2598) who attended Religious services less than once per month or never and 23% (451/1946) who attended Religious services at least once per month reported current smoking (odds ratio [OR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-2.0; P P P Conclusions Young adults who attend Religious services have lower rates of current and subsequent cigarette smoking. The potential health benefits associated with Religious Involvement deserve further study.
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Religious Involvement stress and mental health findings from the 1995 detroit area study
Social Forces, 2001Co-Authors: Christopher G Ellison, David R Williams, Jason D Boardman, James S JacksonAbstract:Although interest in the links between religion and mental health has increased sharply in recent years, researchers remain far from a consensus regarding which aspects of Religious Involvement are germane to mental health, which mental health outcomes may be influenced by Religious factors, and which mechanisms and/or models may account for these observed relationships. This article extends the literature in this area by elaborating a set of direct, mediating, and moderating links between multiple dimensions of Religious Involvement and psychological distress and well-being. Relevant hypotheses are then tested using data from the 1995 Detroit Area Study. Among our key findings: the frequency of church attendance bears a positive association with well-being and an inverse association with distress; the frequency of prayer has a slight inverse link with well-being and a weak positive association with distress; belief in eternal life is positively associated with well-being but unrelated to distress; in general, the net effects of these Religious variables are not mediated by the risk of social stressors or by access to social or psychological resources; other Religious variables, including measures of church-based social support, are unrelated to distress or well-being; and there is limited evidence of stress-buffering effects, but not stress-exacerbating effects, of Religious Involvement. The limitations of the study are discussed, and several implications and promising directions for further research on religion and health/well-being are identified.
Terrence D Hill - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Religious Involvement as a social determinant of sleep an initial review and conceptual model
Sleep Health, 2018Co-Authors: Terrence D Hill, Reed T Deangelis, Christopher G EllisonAbstract:Although numerous empirical studies show that Religious Involvement is associated with better health and longer life expectancies, researchers have virtually ignored possible links between Religious Involvement and sleep. To spark greater attention to this important and understudied area of sleep research, we review previous population-based studies, propose an initial conceptual model of the likely pathways for these associations, and offer several avenues for future research. Our review and critical examination suggest that Religious Involvement is indeed a social determinant of sleep in the United States. More Religious adults in particular tend to exhibit healthier sleep outcomes than their less Religious counterparts. This general pattern can be seen across large population-based studies using a narrow range of religion measurements and sleep outcomes. Our conceptual model, grounded in the broader religion and health literature, suggests that Religious Involvement may be associated with healthier sleep outcomes by limiting mental, chemical, and physiological arousal associated with psychological distress, substance use, stress exposure, and allostatic load. As we move forward, researchers should incorporate (1) more rigorous longitudinal research designs, (2) more sophisticated sleep measurements, (3) more complex conceptual models, (4) more comprehensive measurements of religion and related concepts, and (5) more measures of Religious struggles to better assess the "dark side" of religion. Research along these lines would provide a more thorough understanding of the intersection of Religious Involvement and population sleep.
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Religious Involvement and marijuana use for medical and recreational purposes
Journal of Drug Issues, 2018Co-Authors: Amy M Burdette, Terrence D Hill, Noah S Webb, Stacy H Haynes, Jason A FordAbstract: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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processes linking Religious Involvement and telomere length
Biodemography and Social Biology, 2017Co-Authors: Terrence D Hill, Christopher G Ellison, Preeti Vaghela, Sunshine RoteAbstract:ABSTRACTAlthough 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 a...
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dimensions of Religious Involvement and leukocyte telomere length
Social Science & Medicine, 2016Co-Authors: Terrence D Hill, Christopher G Ellison, Amy M Burdette, John W Taylor, Katherine L FriedmanAbstract:Although numerous studies suggest that Religious Involvement is associated with a wide range of favorable health outcomes, it is unclear whether this general pattern extends to cellular aging. In this paper, we tested whether leukocyte telomere length varies according to several dimensions of Religious Involvement. We used cross-sectional data from the Nashville Stress and Health Study (2011-2014), a large probability sample of 1252 black and white adults aged 22 to 69 living in Davidson County, TN, USA. Leukocyte telomere length was measured using the monochrome multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction method with albumin as the single-copy reference sequence. Dimensions of Religious Involvement included religiosity, Religious support, and Religious coping. Our multivariate analyses showed that religiosity (an index of Religious attendance, prayer frequency, and Religious identity) was positively associated with leukocyte telomere length, even with adjustments for Religious support, Religious coping, age, gender, race, education, employment status, income, financial strain, stressful life events, marital status, family support, friend support, depressive symptoms, smoking, heavy drinking, and allostatic load. Unlike religiosity, Religious support and Religious coping were unrelated to leukocyte telomere length across models. Depressive symptoms, smoking, heavy drinking, and allostatic load failed to explain any of the association between religiosity and telomere length. To our knowledge, this is the first population-based study to link Religious Involvement and cellular aging. Although our data suggest that adults who frequently attend Religious services, pray with regularity, and consider themselves to be Religious tend to exhibit longer telomeres than those who attend and pray less frequently and do not consider themselves to be Religious, additional research is needed to establish the mechanisms underlying this association.
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Religious Involvement health status and mortality risk
2011Co-Authors: Terrence D Hill, Amy M Burdette, Ellen L IdlerAbstract:Religious Involvement – indicated by observable feelings, beliefs, activities, and experiences in relation to spiritual, divine, or supernatural entities – is a prevalent and powerful force in the lives of older adults. Despite evidence of secularization and the declining significance of Religious institutions (Chaves 1994), elderly Americans continue to exhibit high rates of Religious Involvement. According to national estimates from the 2008 General Social Survey, a large percentage of adults aged 65 and older affiliate with Religious groups (93%), characterize their affiliations as strong (56%), attend Religious services weekly or more (42%), pray at least once per day (68%), and believe that the Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally (37%). These figures are remarkable in their own right. They also inspire countless questions concerning the consequences of Religious Involvement in late life.
Amy M Burdette - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Religious Involvement and marijuana use for medical and recreational purposes
Journal of Drug Issues, 2018Co-Authors: Amy M Burdette, Terrence D Hill, Noah S Webb, Stacy H Haynes, Jason A FordAbstract: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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dimensions of Religious Involvement and leukocyte telomere length
Social Science & Medicine, 2016Co-Authors: Terrence D Hill, Christopher G Ellison, Amy M Burdette, John W Taylor, Katherine L FriedmanAbstract:Although numerous studies suggest that Religious Involvement is associated with a wide range of favorable health outcomes, it is unclear whether this general pattern extends to cellular aging. In this paper, we tested whether leukocyte telomere length varies according to several dimensions of Religious Involvement. We used cross-sectional data from the Nashville Stress and Health Study (2011-2014), a large probability sample of 1252 black and white adults aged 22 to 69 living in Davidson County, TN, USA. Leukocyte telomere length was measured using the monochrome multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction method with albumin as the single-copy reference sequence. Dimensions of Religious Involvement included religiosity, Religious support, and Religious coping. Our multivariate analyses showed that religiosity (an index of Religious attendance, prayer frequency, and Religious identity) was positively associated with leukocyte telomere length, even with adjustments for Religious support, Religious coping, age, gender, race, education, employment status, income, financial strain, stressful life events, marital status, family support, friend support, depressive symptoms, smoking, heavy drinking, and allostatic load. Unlike religiosity, Religious support and Religious coping were unrelated to leukocyte telomere length across models. Depressive symptoms, smoking, heavy drinking, and allostatic load failed to explain any of the association between religiosity and telomere length. To our knowledge, this is the first population-based study to link Religious Involvement and cellular aging. Although our data suggest that adults who frequently attend Religious services, pray with regularity, and consider themselves to be Religious tend to exhibit longer telomeres than those who attend and pray less frequently and do not consider themselves to be Religious, additional research is needed to establish the mechanisms underlying this association.
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maternal Religious Involvement and breastfeeding initiation and duration
American Journal of Public Health, 2012Co-Authors: Amy M Burdette, Natasha V PilkauskasAbstract:Although Religious Involvement is associated with a number of beneficial health outcomes, few studies have investigated whether Religious Involvement is associated with breastfeeding behaviors. Our analyses of 2 waves of data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (n = 4 166) indicate that mothers who frequently attend Religious services are more likely to initiate breastfeeding than are mothers who never attend services. Understanding Religious variations in breastfeeding may allow public health officials to more effectively target vulnerable populations.
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Religious Involvement health status and mortality risk
2011Co-Authors: Terrence D Hill, Amy M Burdette, Ellen L IdlerAbstract:Religious Involvement – indicated by observable feelings, beliefs, activities, and experiences in relation to spiritual, divine, or supernatural entities – is a prevalent and powerful force in the lives of older adults. Despite evidence of secularization and the declining significance of Religious institutions (Chaves 1994), elderly Americans continue to exhibit high rates of Religious Involvement. According to national estimates from the 2008 General Social Survey, a large percentage of adults aged 65 and older affiliate with Religious groups (93%), characterize their affiliations as strong (56%), attend Religious services weekly or more (42%), pray at least once per day (68%), and believe that the Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally (37%). These figures are remarkable in their own right. They also inspire countless questions concerning the consequences of Religious Involvement in late life.
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Religious Involvement and Transitions into Adolescent Sexual Activities
Sociology of Religion, 2009Co-Authors: Amy M Burdette, Terrence D HillAbstract:Using two waves of data from the National Survey of Youth and Religion (2002, 2005), a national probability sample of 3,290 adolescents ages 13 to 17, we test whether Religious Involvement (church attendance, Religious salience, private religiosity, and family religiosity) is associated with delayed transitions into sexual activities (sexual touching, oral sex, and sexual intercourse). We also consider whether the rate of these transitions varies according to important social characteristics (age, gender, and race/ethnicity). Our results suggest that multiple indicators of Religious Involvement (especially Religious salience) are associated with delayed transitions into selected sexual activities. We also find that the rate of transition into sexual activities associated with private and family religiosity varies according to key social characteristics.
