title: Religious orientation and health among active older adults in the United States.
abstract: This study utilizes a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic Religious Orientation Scales to explore the connection between religion and health in a sample of physically active, older adults. The revised Religious Orientation Scale and the RAND Short Form 36 (SF-36) were adopted to relate religious orientation (intrinsic, extrinsic, pro-religious, and non-religious) and self-rated mental and physical health status. Individuals of pro-religious orientation reported significantly worse health for physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, and energy or fatigue when compared with those of all other religious orientations; however, no dose-response relationships were found between religious orientation and self-rated health. The results of this study indicate that deleterious health effects may accompany pro-religious orientation. Caution is provided for directors of religious programs for older adults.
authors: School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave. Box 92, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. bradley.hunter@gmail.com
authors: Bradley D
authors: BD
authors: Hunter
authors: Ray M
authors: RM
authors: Merrill
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012067:Religion; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States