Title
Psychological and Social Characteristics Associated with Religiosity in Women's Health Initiative Participants.
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
Publication Date
2011-11-09
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Religion and Medicine; Religion and Psychology; Women's Health; Social Support
Disciplines
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Cardiology | Cardiovascular Diseases | Psychological Phenomena and Processes | Religion | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract
Measures of religiosity are linked to health outcomes, possibly indicating mediating effects of associated psychological and social factors. We examined cross-sectional data from 92,539 postmenopausal participants of the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study who responded to questions on religious service attendance, psychological characteristics, and social support domains. We present odds ratios from multiple logistic regressions controlling for covariates. Women attending services weekly during the past month, compared with those not attending at all in the past month, were less likely to be depressed [OR = 0.78; CI = 0.74-0.83] or characterized by cynical hostility [OR = 0.94; CI = 0.90-0.98], and more likely to be optimistic [OR = 1.22; CI = 1.17-1.26]. They were also more likely to report overall positive social support [OR = 1.28; CI = 1.24-1.33], as well as social support of four subtypes (emotional/informational support, affection support, tangible support, and positive social interaction), and were less likely to report social strain [OR = 0.91; CI = 0.88-0.94]. However, those attending more or less than weekly were not less likely to be characterized by cynical hostility, nor were they less likely to report social strain, compared to those not attending during the past month.
DOI of Published Version
10.1007/s10943-011-9549-6
Source
Journal of Religion and Health. 2011 Nov 9. [Epub ahead of print] DOI: 10.1007/s10943-011-9549-6
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Journal of Religion and Health
Related Resources
PubMed ID
22069057
Repository Citation
Schnall, Eliezer; Kalkstein, Solomon; Fitchett, George; Salmoirago Blotcher, Elena; Ockene, Judith K.; Tindle, Hilary A.; Hunt, Julie R.; Wassertheil-Smoller, Sylvia; and Thomas, Asha, "Psychological and Social Characteristics Associated with Religiosity in Women's Health Initiative Participants." (2011). Cardiovascular Medicine Publications and Presentations. 81.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/cardio_pp/81