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Positive and Negative Religious Beliefs Explaining the Religion-Health Connection Among African Americans
Cheryl L Holt1, Eddie M Clark2, David L Roth3
1University of Maryland, School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral and Community Health.
The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion
|May 27, 2017
Summary
Religious beliefs influence health behaviors, with perceived religious impact promoting healthy habits like increased fruit intake and reduced alcohol/smoking. Beliefs about sin and punishment also affect vegetable consumption and binge drinking.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology of Religion
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Existing literature presents conflicting views on religion's impact on health outcomes.
- Some theories link religious involvement to healthier lifestyles, while others suggest negative health effects due to beliefs about divine punishment.
- The complex relationship between religion and health necessitates empirical investigation within specific populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test a theoretical model examining the religion-health connection in a national sample of African Americans.
- To investigate how religious beliefs and behaviors influence various health-related behaviors.
- To explore the mediating roles of perceived religious influence and beliefs about sin/punishment.
Main Methods:
- A national sample of 2,370 African Americans was recruited via a random digit dialing telephone survey.
- Data collected included religious involvement, health behaviors, and demographic characteristics.
- Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the complex relationships within the theoretical model.
Main Results:
- Perceived religious influence on health behavior significantly mediated the link between religious beliefs/behaviors and higher fruit consumption, and lower alcohol use and smoking.
- Belief that illness results from punishment for sin mediated the relationship between religious beliefs and higher vegetable consumption/lower binge drinking.
- This belief also mediated the relationship between religious behaviors and lower vegetable consumption/higher binge drinking.
Conclusions:
- Religious beliefs and behaviors have a demonstrable impact on health-related behaviors among African Americans.
- The findings highlight the dual nature of religious influence, with both positive and potentially negative pathways affecting health behaviors.
- Results can inform culturally sensitive health education programs within African American faith-based organizations to address health disparities.
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