Religion: A Sociocultural Predictor of Health Behaviors in Mexico
Abstract
Objective: Tobacco, alcohol, and physical inactivity are now among the top 10 risk factors for mortality in the Americas region. Subsequently, a more complete understanding of the various cultural factors that influence health behaviors such as these is needed. Method: This study investigates how religion influences the use of alcohol and cigarettes within a large, nationally representative sample of older adults in Mexico (Mexican Health and Aging Study, N = 10,399). Results: Religious salience and participation in religious activities are both significantly associated with smoking status, but not alcohol use. Discussion: This is one of the first studies to examine these associations in a developing country. Despite cultural differences, the negative relationship between religion and smoking in Mexico corresponds to associations seen in the United States and other Western countries. This type of information may be useful to health researchers, providers, and policy makers attempting to reduce deaths due to preventable causes.
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Of the 83 methodologically most rigorous smoking studies, 75 (90%) reported inverse relationships with R/S involvement.
“Of the 83 methodologically most rigorous studies, 75 (90%) reported inverse relationships with R/S involvement [213, 285–294].”
From Religion, Spirituality, and Health: The Research and Clinical Implications (2012) · cites this paper as [286]
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Religion, Spirituality, and Health: The Research and Clinical Implications
Koenig, H. G. (2012) · ISRN Psychiatry · doi:10.5402/2012/278730 · Cited by 2,423 · see citing works
- Authors
- Benjamins, M. R., & Buck, A. C.
- Affiliations
- Sinai Urban Health Institute (US)
- Georgetown University (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Aging and Health
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2008-04
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 290-305
- ISSN
- 0898-2643 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-6887
- OpenAlex
- W2096649665
- Cited by
- 26
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 0.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Aging and Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Aging (R01AG018016)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Religion and Society Interactions
- Keywords
- religion, religious salience, religious participation, smoking, alcohol consumption, older adults, health behavior, cultural factors in health, Mexico, Mexican Health and Aging Study
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Alcohol Drinking, Culture, Humans, Mexico, Middle Aged, Religion, Smoking, Socioeconomic Factors, Health Behavior
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