 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Luisa Franzini, PhD1, John Ribble, MD1, Norma Perez, MD1, Melissa Montoya1, Margaret Caughy, PhD1, Maria Eugenia Fernandez-Esquer, PhD1, Jan M H Risser, PhD2, and William Spears, PhD3. (1) University of Texas School of Public Health, 1200 Herman Pressler, Houston, TX 77030, 713 500 9487, lfranzini@sph.uth.tmc.edu, (2) Epidemiology, University of Texas School of Public Health, 1200 Herman Pressler, RAS E 703, Houston, TX 77030, (3) San Antonio satellite, University of Texas School of Public Health, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78284
Background: The effect of religiosity and spirituality on health outcomes, in particular mortality and mental health, has been investigated with mixed results. In this project we investigate the influence of religiosity and spirituality on self-perceived health and how the effect of religiosity and spirituality on health may vary in different racial/ethnic groups. Methods: Face to face interviews were conducted with 350 African-Americans, 1481 Hispanics of Mexican origin, 211 other Hispanics, and 102 non-Hispanic whites living in Texas in 2001. Religiosity was assessed with two variables: frequency of attendance to religious services, and frequency of attendance to other activities at the place of worship. Spirituality was assessed with three variables: how often they pray, how important are spiritual beliefs to every day life, and how important they are as a source of meaning in life. Results: Sixty three percent of respondents identified as Catholic, 21% as Protestants, and 12% of other religion. Religiosity and spirituality differed by race/ethnic groups in our sample with African-Americans scoring higher on the religiosity and spirituality scales, followed by Mexican Americans, other Hispanics, and whites. Religiosity was not a significant predictor of health, while spirituality negatively impacted self-perceived health, after controlling for sex, age, and education. The effect of religiosity and spirituality on self-perceived health varied by race/ethnic group. Conclusions: The results of this study point to the need for more research on the mechanisms through which spirituality affect health, as well as the direction of causation.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session. the participant will be able to
Keywords: Religion, Ethnic Minorities
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.