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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Jennifer A. Nolan, MS, PhD, Center for the Study of Spirituality, Theology and Religion, Duke University Medical Center, P O Box 93412, Durham, NC 27708-3412, 607 280 0286, jan13@duke.edu and Eunice Rodriguez, DrPH, Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University, Rm 252 MVR Bldg., PAM Dept., College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.

Objectives: Determine if socio-economic status and race/ethnicity modifies the relationship between religious participation and physical health, mental health and depression among a representative sample of 2102 middle aged adults in the United States in the year 2000 utilizing data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79).

Methods: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) regression models were performed separately for each of the three dependent health variables. The independent variable was religious participation, controlling for sociodemographic variables of gender, race/ethnicity, education, martial status, work amount, net family income, residence, and region in the year 2000. The dependent variables were self-reported health in the year 2000, measured as Physical Health Composite Score (SF-12 PCS), Mental Health Composite Score (SF-12 MCS), and the Center for Epidemiological Study of Depression Score (CES-D).

Results: Those of low socio-economic status who reported some religious participation reported better physical health scores than those who did not attend at all (p<0.05). Level of religious participation did not vary with physical health scores among any of the other levels of socio-economic status. African-Americans who reported higher attendance levels at religious services also reported better mental health scores and lower depression scores than African-Americans who reported no attendance at religious services (p<0.05). Caucasians showed the opposite trend occurring, higher levels of attendance were associated with poorer mental health and higher depression scores.

Conclusions: Religious attendance appears to be associated with better physical health among adults of low socio-economic status and better mental health and less depression among African-American adults.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List the co-factors along with religious participation which influence physical health, mental health and depression among a U.S. adult representative sample population.
• Describe the analytical methods to evaluate how the relationship between religious participation and physical health, mental health and depression are modified by SES and race/ethnicity.
• Apply methods of testing modifying factors of SES and race/ethnicity to better understand the relationship between religious participation and health outcomes.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Faith Community

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation