Religion and aging: exploring the effects of religiosity on mental well-being across age cohorts

Abstract

The relationships between mental health and various aspects of religiosity are well studied. Religion, as a social institution, provides support to many. Findings indicate a positive relationship between religious participation and indicators of mental health, but few studies focus on age difference. Incorporating age and age cohort differences when studying mental well-being and religion is important because research has found that religious practices and the conceptualization of religiosity vary by age cohort. While it may appear the United States is drastically less religious, practices of religiosity still provides emotional and social support to many. This study fills a gap in the literature by using data from Wave III of the Survey of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) to conduct a quantitative analysis of the relationship between religiosity and mental well-being with respect to age cohorts.