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Cited by 847Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologyReligion and Society InteractionsHealth, psychology, and well-being

TARGET ARTICLE: Explaining the Relationships Between Religious Involvement and Health

George, Linda K., Ellison, Christopher G., Larson, David B.·2002·Psychological Inquiry
DOI 10.1207/s15327965pli1303_04
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Abstract

There is increasing research evidence that religious involvement is associated both cross-sectionally and prospectively with better physical health, better mental health, and longer survival. These relationships remain substantial in size and statistically significant with other risk and protective factors for morbidity and mortality statistically controlled. In this article, we review the social and psychological factors that have been hypothesized to explain the health-promoting effects of religious involvement. The four potential psychosocial mechanisms that have received empirical attention are health practices, social support, psychosocial resources such as self-esteem and self-efficacy, and belief structures such as sense of coherence. Evidence concerning these potential mediators is mixed and inconsistent, suggesting there is more to be learned about the pathways by which religion affects health. Other possible explanations for the salubrious effects of religious involvement on health and longevity are discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1207/s15327965pli1303_04

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61 of 61 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The relationships between religiosity and mental health and freedom from coronary disease and certain cancers typically are positive.

    “A large literature indicates that the relationships between religiosity and mental health and freedom from coronary disease and certain cancers typically are positive (George et al. 2002; Koenig 1997).”

    From Parasite-stress promotes in-group assortative sociality: The cases of strong family ties and heightened religiosity (2012) · cites this paper as George et al. 2002

  • Little is known about the mediators of the positive relationship between religiosity and health.

    “As George et al. (2002) emphasize, despite a great deal of research, little is known about the mediators of the positive relationship between religiosity and health.”

    From Parasite-stress promotes in-group assortative sociality: The cases of strong family ties and heightened religiosity (2012) · cites this paper as George et al. 2002

  • Effects of RS-related social support are inconsistent, and although this type of social support is consistently related to mortality, it often functions as an independent predictor rather than as a mediator.

    “However, effects of RS-related social support are inconsistent (George et al., 2002), and it appears that although this type of social support is consistently related to mortality, it often functions as an independent predictor rather than as a mediator.”

    From Advancing our understanding of religion and spirituality in the context of behavioral medicine (2017) · cites this paper as George et al., 2002

  • When studies of the service attendance-mortality link control for social support, relations between attendance and mortality often become substantially weaker, indicating that social support mediates at least some of the relationship of RS with health.

    “When studies of the service attendance-mortality link control for its influence, relations between attendance and mortality often become substantially weaker (George et al., 2002), indicating that social support mediates at least some of the relationship of RS with health.”

    From Advancing our understanding of religion and spirituality in the context of behavioral medicine (2017) · cites this paper as George et al., 2002

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Authors
George, L. K., Ellison, C. G., & Larson, D. B.
Affiliations
  • Duke University (US)
  • The University of Texas at Austin (US)
ORCID
Venue
Psychological Inquiry
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2002-07
Volume
13
Issue
3
Pages
190-200
ISSN
  • 1047-840X (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-7965
DOI
10.1207/s15327965pli1303_04
OpenAlex
W1972423849
Cited by
847
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 42 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 38 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 67 · 2013: 61 · 2012: 46
FWCI
21.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Psychological Inquiry (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Religion and Society Interactions
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
Keywords
religious involvement, religion and health, psychosocial mechanisms, health practices, social support, self-esteem, self-efficacy, sense of coherence, longevity, physical health, mental health

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