title: Religion, finding interests in life, and change in self-esteem during late life.
abstract: Research indicates that greater involvement in activities is essential for successful aging. The purpose of the current study is to examine a construct that motivates involvement in activities-finding interests in life. In the process, we also show how involvement in religion may help promote interests. In order to examine these issues, a conceptual model is tested that contains the following core hypotheses: (1) older people who go to church more often will be more likely to have stronger God-mediated control beliefs (i.e., the belief that God works together with people to resolve problems and reach desired goals); (2) older adults with a stronger sense of God-mediated control will be more likely to find things in life that are interesting; and (3) older individuals with more interests experience a greater sense of self-worth over time. Findings from a nationwide survey provide support for the key relationships described above.
authors: Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA nkrause@umich.edu.
authors: Neal
authors: N
authors: Krause
authors: Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors: R David
authors: RD
authors: Hayward
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012067:Religion; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: interests; religion; self-esteem