Religious Attendance and Biological Risk: A National Longitudinal Study of Older Adults

TitleReligious Attendance and Biological Risk: A National Longitudinal Study of Older Adults
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsSuh, H, Hill, TD, Koenig, HG
JournalJournal of Religion and Health
Volume58
Pagination1188–1202
Type of ArticleJournal
ISSN Number0022-4197
KeywordsAllostatic load, Biomarkers, Cystatin C, Religion
Abstract

Although several studies suggest that religious involvement is associated with healthier biological functioning in later life, most of this work is cross-sectional. We extend previous research by employing a longitudinal design. Our analysis of Health and Retirement Study (2006/2010) data suggests that older adults who attended religious services weekly or more in 2006 tend to exhibit fewer high-risk biomarkers in 2010 and greater reductions in allostatic load over the 4-year study period than respondents who attended yearly or not at all. These patterns persisted with adjustments for baseline allostatic load and a range of background variables.

URLhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10943-018-0721-0
DOI10.1007/s10943-018-0721-0
Short TitleJ Relig Health
Citation Key9861