Research article summary (published 30 Jan 2006):

Do people turn to religion in times of stress?: an examination of change in religiousness among elderly, medically ill patients.

Full Abstract

This study examined the effect of health-related stress on changes in religiousness in a sample of elderly, medically ill patients. Patients admitted to Duke University Medical Center (N = 745) were interviewed at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Increases in illness severity (from baseline to follow-up) were associated with decreases in both organizational and private religiousness at follow-up. Effect of illness severity on organizational religiousness was statistically mediated by changes in physical activity, while its effect on private religiousness remained significant after controlling for physical activity. These findings encourage further research investigating causal relationships between stress and religion, as well as identifying measures of religiousness that may capture this construct in the medically ill population.

Author information

Author/s: Chen, Yung Y (YY); Koenig, Harold G (HG);

Affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27516, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article

Journal: The Journal of nervous and mental disease (J Nerv Ment Dis), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Feb; vol 194 (issue 2) : pp 114-20

Dates: Created 2006/02/14; Completed 2006/03/14; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16477189, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Adaptation, Psychological Aged Aged, 80 and over Female Follow-Up Studies Geriatric Assessment - statistics & numerical data Health Status Humans Inpatients - psychology; statistics & numerical data Logistic Models

Logistic Models Longitudinal Studies Male Middle Aged Motor Activity Religion Religion and Psychology Severity of Illness Index Spirituality Stress, Psychological - psychology

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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