Cited by 686Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologyReligion and Society InteractionsHealth disparities and outcomes

Frequent attendance at religious services and mortality over 28 years.

Open access
Strawbridge, W J, Cohen, R D, Shema, S J, Kaplan, G A·1997·American Journal of Public Health

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the long-term association between religious attendance and mortality to determine whether the association is explained by improvements in health practices and social connections for frequent attenders. METHODS: The association between frequent attendance and mortality over 28 years for 5286 Alameda Country Study respondents was examined. Logistic regression models analyzed associations between attendance and subsequent improvements in health practices and social connections. RESULTS: Frequent attenders had lower mortality rates than infrequent attenders (relative hazard [RH] = 0.64;95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.53,0.77). Results were stronger for females. Health adjustments had little impact, but adjustments for social connections and health practices reduced the relationship (RH = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.64, 0.93). During follow-up, frequent attenders were more likely to stop smoking, increase exercising, increase social contacts, and stay married. CONCLUSIONS: Lower mortality rates for frequent religious attenders are partly explained by improved health practices, increased social contacts, and more stable marriages occurring in conjunction with attendance. The mechanisms by which these changes occur have broad intervention implications.

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Crossref · 10.2105/ajph.87.6.957

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Authors
Strawbridge, W. J., Cohen, R. D., Shema, S. J., & Kaplan, G. A.
Affiliations
Public Health Foundation (US)
Venue
American Journal of Public Health
Published
1997-06
Volume
87
Issue
6
Pages
957-961
ISSN
  • 0090-0036 (ISSN-L)
  • 1541-0048
OpenAlex
W2072680683
Cited by
686
References
44
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 52 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 32
FWCI
22.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Journal of Public Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Deep Blue (University of Michigan) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Yale University
  • National Institute on Aging (R37AG011375, 1R37 AG-11375)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Religion and Society Interactions
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
Keywords
religious service attendance, mortality, long-term health effects, health practices, social connectedness, social contact, marital stability, smoking cessation, physical activity, sex differences, Alameda County Study
MeSH terms
Alcohol Drinking, California, Female, Humans, Life Style, Male, Mortality, Religion, Health Behavior, Exercise, Body Mass Index, Multivariate Analysis, Odds Ratio, Smoking Cessation, Sex Distribution

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