J A Kelley-Moore1, K F Ferraro. 1. Department of Sociology and Gerontology Program, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1365, USA. kelleyj@sri.soc.purdue.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Why do some studies report a negative relationship between religious service attendance and functional limitations? Two possible mechanisms, the health benefit mechanism and the functional barrier mechanism, were systematically examined. METHODS: With 2 waves of a national probability sample of adults aged 60 years and older, this research used structural equation models to estimate the influence of these 2 mechanisms. RESULTS: Results indicated that functional limitations were associated with less frequent religious service attendance at the same wave, largely because of the barrier mechanism; no support was found for the benefit mechanism. Neither mechanism was significant over time. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that there is a temporal and salient decline in social activities such as religious service attendance when lower body functional limitations are highest. However, long-term engagement in religious service attendance is not predicted by baseline functional limitations, indicating that there are not long-term declines in attendance because of higher levels of functional limitations.
OBJECTIVES: Why do some studies report a negative relationship between religious service attendance and functional limitations? Two possible mechanisms, the health benefit mechanism and the functional barrier mechanism, were systematically examined. METHODS: With 2 waves of a national probability sample of adults aged 60 years and older, this research used structural equation models to estimate the influence of these 2 mechanisms. RESULTS: Results indicated that functional limitations were associated with less frequent religious service attendance at the same wave, largely because of the barrier mechanism; no support was found for the benefit mechanism. Neither mechanism was significant over time. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that there is a temporal and salient decline in social activities such as religious service attendance when lower body functional limitations are highest. However, long-term engagement in religious service attendance is not predicted by baseline functional limitations, indicating that there are not long-term declines in attendance because of higher levels of functional limitations.
Authors: Nan Sook Park; David L Klemmack; Lucinda L Roff; Michael W Parker; Harold G Koenig; Patricia Sawyer; Richard M Allman Journal: Res Aging Date: 2008
Authors: Thomas A Arcury; Jeanette M Stafford; Ronny A Bell; Shannon L Golden; Beverly M Snively; Sara A Quandt Journal: J Rural Health Date: 2007 Impact factor: 4.333