Neal Krause1, Elena Bastida. 1. Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA. nkrause@umich.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between religiously based beliefs about suffering and health among older Mexicans. METHODS: A nationwide survey of older Mexican Americans was conducted (N=1,005). Questions were administered to assess beliefs about finding positive outcomes in suffering, the benefits of suffering in silence, other dimensions of religion, and health. RESULTS: The findings suggest that older Mexican Americans who use their faith to find something positive in the face of suffering tend to rate their health more favorably. In contrast, older Mexican Americans who believe that it is important to suffer in silence tend to rate their health less favorably. DISCUSSION: Moving beyond measures of church attendance to explore culturally relevant beliefs about suffering provides important insight into the relationship between religion and health among older Mexican Americans.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between religiously based beliefs about suffering and health among older Mexicans. METHODS: A nationwide survey of older Mexican Americans was conducted (N=1,005). Questions were administered to assess beliefs about finding positive outcomes in suffering, the benefits of suffering in silence, other dimensions of religion, and health. RESULTS: The findings suggest that older Mexican Americans who use their faith to find something positive in the face of suffering tend to rate their health more favorably. In contrast, older Mexican Americans who believe that it is important to suffer in silence tend to rate their health less favorably. DISCUSSION: Moving beyond measures of church attendance to explore culturally relevant beliefs about suffering provides important insight into the relationship between religion and health among older Mexican Americans.
Authors: Hélio José Coelho-Júnior; Riccardo Calvani; Francesco Panza; Riccardo F Allegri; Anna Picca; Emanuele Marzetti; Vicente Paulo Alves Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2022-05-12