title: Benevolent Images of God, Gratitude, and Physical Health Status.
abstract: This study has two goals. The first is to assess whether a benevolent image of God is associated with better physical health. The second goal is to examine the aspects of congregational life that is associated with a benevolent image of God. Data from a new nationwide survey (N = 1774) are used to test the following core hypotheses: (1) people who attend worship services more often and individuals who receive more spiritual support from fellow church members (i.e., informal assistance that is intended to increase the religious beliefs and behaviors of the recipient) will have more benevolent images of God, (2) individuals who believe that God is benevolent will feel more grateful to God, (3) study participants who are more grateful to God will be more hopeful about the future, and (4) greater hope will be associated with better health. The data provide support for each of these relationships.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA, nkrause@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Neal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Emmons
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ironson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057189:Checklist; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012067:Religion; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult