eprintid: 10151
rev_number: 4
userid: 6
dir: disk0/00/01/01/51
datestamp: 2011-11-10 20:08:51
lastmod: 2016-11-15 13:53:39
status_changed: 2011-11-10 20:08:51
type: thesis_degree
metadata_visibility: show
contact_email: jozwiak_j@hotmail.com
item_issues_count: 0
eprint_status: archive
creators_name: Jozwiak, Jeffrey L.
creators_email: jozwiak_j@hotmail.com
title: The Significance of Religion on Health Factors Related to Aging Among American Adults Using the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States
ispublished: unpub
divisions: sch_gsph_behavioralcommhealthsci
full_text_status: public
keywords: aging; health behaviors; religion
abstract: There is a substantial body of evidence that demonstrates an association between religiosity and health outcomes in adults of all ages. Many studies have demonstrated that factors such as religious importance and service attendance may provide social vehicles for factors such as increased access to health care, better management of chronic diseases, and increased availability to preventive health services and education. These religious factors may also influence the way in which a person perceives and copes with his or her health issues. Successful aging theory is a combination of three factors or characteristics: low risk of disease and disease-related disability, high mental and physical function, and active engagement with life. This theory allows for a more holistic approach to aging and health. The overall goal of this observational study using quantitative data from the 1994/95 National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) was to analyze whether any statistically significant relationships exist between religiosity defined as religious devotion, importance, influence, and service attendance and the three factors of successful aging. The results demonstrated significant relationships between all religiosity variables and active engagement in life. Other statistically significant findings were discovered with the factors: self physical and mental health rating, times in the hospital, routine visits to the doctor, and certain religiosity variables. Many of the findings still existed when analyzed across demographic co-variants. Finally, the use of a theoretical model and logistic regression demonstrated that active engagement in life may be a bridge variable between successful aging health outcomes and service attendance. The results don't show more religion means healthier, but that religion can play an intricate role in an individual's own health. The public health relevance of the study is to make public health professionals aware of the relationships that exist between religiosity and successful aging health outcomes. Religious venues may provide a good resource for preventive health services and education. Most importantly, a person's religious beliefs may affect the way a person deals with physical or mental illness. Public health professionals should embrace the religious beliefs of patients regardless of their own beliefs.
date: 2008-01-31
date_type: completed
institution: University of Pittsburgh
refereed: TRUE
etdcommittee_type: committee_chair
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_name: Sharma, Ravi K
etdcommittee_name: Erlen, Jonathon
etdcommittee_name: Jaros, Kenneth J
etdcommittee_name: Watzlaf, Valerie J. M
etdcommittee_email: rks1946@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_email: erlen@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_email: kjaros@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_email: valgeo@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_id: RKS1946
etdcommittee_id: ERLEN
etdcommittee_id: KJAROS
etdcommittee_id: VALGEO
etd_defense_date: 2007-08-30
etd_approval_date: 2008-01-31
etd_submission_date: 2007-12-07
etd_access_restriction: immediate
etd_patent_pending: FALSE
assigned_doi: doi:10.5195/pitt.etd.2011.10151
thesis_type: dissertation
degree: DrPH
committee: Ravi K. Sharma, PhD (rks1946@pitt.edu) - Committee Chair
committee: Jonathon Erlen, PhD (erlen@pitt.edu) - Committee Member
committee: Kenneth J. Jaros, PhD (kjaros@pitt.edu) - Committee Member
committee: Valerie J.M. Watzlaf, PhD, RHIA, FAHIMA (valgeo@pitt.edu) - Committee Member
etdurn: etd-12072007-111103
other_id: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-12072007-111103/
other_id: etd-12072007-111103
citation:   Jozwiak, Jeffrey L.  (2008) The Significance of Religion on Health Factors Related to Aging Among American Adults Using the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States.  Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.    (Unpublished)  
document_url: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/10151/1/jozwiakjl07.pdf