OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prayer and attachment to God on psychological well-being (PWB) in later life. METHOD: Using data from two waves of the nationwide Religion, Aging, and Health Survey, we estimate the associations between frequency of prayer and attachment to God at baseline with cross-wave changes in three measures of PWB: self-esteem, optimism, and life satisfaction. RESULTS: Prayer does not have a main effect on PWB. Secure attachment to God is associated with improvements in optimism but not self-esteem or life satisfaction. The relationship between prayer and PWB is moderated by attachment to God; prayer is associated with improvements in PWB among securely attached individuals but not those who are insecurely attached to God. DISCUSSION: These findings shed light on the complex relationship between prayer and PWB by showing that the effects of prayer are contingent upon one's perceived relationship with God.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prayer and attachment to God on psychological well-being (PWB) in later life. METHOD: Using data from two waves of the nationwide Religion, Aging, and Health Survey, we estimate the associations between frequency of prayer and attachment to God at baseline with cross-wave changes in three measures of PWB: self-esteem, optimism, and life satisfaction. RESULTS: Prayer does not have a main effect on PWB. Secure attachment to God is associated with improvements in optimism but not self-esteem or life satisfaction. The relationship between prayer and PWB is moderated by attachment to God; prayer is associated with improvements in PWB among securely attached individuals but not those who are insecurely attached to God. DISCUSSION: These findings shed light on the complex relationship between prayer and PWB by showing that the effects of prayer are contingent upon one's perceived relationship with God.
Authors: Matt Bradshaw; Blake Victor Kent; Charlotte vanOyen Witvliet; Byron Johnson; Sung Joon Jang; Joseph Leman Journal: J Relig Health Date: 2022-01-18
Authors: Blake Victor Kent; James C Davidson; Ying Zhang; Kenneth I Pargament; Tyler J VanderWeele; Harold Koenig; Lynn G Underwood; Neal Krause; Alka M Kanaya; Shelley S Tworoger; Anna B Schachter; Shelley Cole; Marcia O'Leary; Yvette Cozier; Martha Daviglus; Aida L Giachello; Tracy Zacher; Julie R Palmer; Alexandra E Shields Journal: J Sci Study Relig Date: 2020-12-22
Authors: Flavia DeSouza; Carmen Black Parker; E Vanessa Spearman-McCarthy; Gina Newsome Duncan; Reverend Maria Myers Black Journal: J Racial Ethn Health Disparities Date: 2020-10-02