title: The Study of Living Conditions and Perceived Needs for Social Security among Clergy in China: A Case Study of Guanzhong Qinling Area.
abstract: This study used quantitative and qualitative data collected in the Guanzhong Qinling area of China to examine living conditions and perceived needs for social security among men and women of the clergy. The survey finds that most respondent clergy are Buddhists. When the clergy have economic difficulties, their main types of support include self-support (28.8%), help from other believers (25.6%), and assistance from other community residents (18.4%). When the clergy are old, they tend to live alone (25%), receive institutional care from religious organizations (19%), and receive support from other believers (18%). When the clergy are ill, they will often select self-treatment (primarily the use of traditional Chinese medicine [25%], and spiritual healing [25%], including meditation, prayers, and psychotherapy) and receive treatment at hospitals (20%). The study found that the clergy perceived their needs for social security as either great (19.7%) or modest (36.5%). Very few clergy (10%) indicate the absence of social security needs. Most clergy believe that the key social security priorities should be medical care (34%), elderly care (29%), and charitable assistance (21%).
authors: a School of Public Administration, Northwest University , Shaanxi , China.
authors: Shaoguo
authors: S
authors: Zhai
authors: b School of Social Work, China Youth University for Political Science , Beijing , China.
authors: Qi
authors: Q
authors: Zhuang
authors: c School of Economics and Management, Xianyang Normal University , Shaanxi , China.
authors: Pei
authors: P
authors: Wang
authors: a School of Public Administration, Northwest University , Shaanxi , China.
authors: Zhaoxi
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: d Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario, Canada.
authors: Peter C
authors: PC
authors: Coyte
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D002977:Clergy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012924:Social Conditions; D012943:Social Security; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Guanzhong Qinling area in China; living conditions; perceived needs for social security; religious clergy