Work

Social Relationships in Religious Institutions and Healthy Lifestyles

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to see if encouragement from fellow church members helps older people develop and maintain healthy lifestyles. The findings indicate that informal church-based support is associated with healthy lifestyles among older African Americans but not older Whites. In addition, the influence of support from fellow church members on health behaviors is greater for study participants who closely identify with their congregations. The results further reveal that the adoption of healthy lifestyles is not associated with support from people outside the church nor is it linked to formal programs that churches provide to encourage good health behaviors. The theoretical and practice implications of these results are discussed.

Source: Health Education & Behavior

DOI: 10.1177/1090198110370281

Authors: Neal Krause, Benjamin Shaw, Jersey Liang

Institutions: University of Michigan, State University of New York, University at Albany, State University of New York, Institute of Gerontology, The University of Tokyo

Language: English

Topic: Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Aging