title: Church-based social relationships, belonging, and health among older Mexican Americans.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to explain how church-based emotional support influences the health of older Mexican Americans. This issue is evaluated with a theoretical model that contains the following core linkages: (1) older Mexican Americans who go to church more often will be more likely to receive emotional support from fellow church members; (2) older Mexican Americans who receive more support from their fellow church members will be more likely to feel they belong in their congregation; (3) older Mexican Americans who feel they belong in their congregation are likely to have a stronger sense of personal control; and (4) older Mexican Americans who have a stronger sense of personal control are likely to enjoy better health. Data from a recent nationwide survey of older Mexican Americans provide support for each of these relationships.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan.
authors.forename: Neal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bastida
mesh_terms: D006262:Health; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D007398:Interpersonal Relations / Q000266:history; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D012067:Religion / Q000266:history; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000266:history; D012919:Social Behavior / Q000266:history; D012933:Social Identification; D012944:Social Support