Modeling the Cross-Sectional Relationships Between Religion, Physical Health, Social Support, and Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

Tbe authors examined models of the 1·elationsbips between religious activities, physical health, social support, and de- pressive symptoms in a sample of 4, 000 persons age 65 and over. Religious activity was examined first as a single com- posite construct and then split into three component vari- ables that were examined individually. Religious activity as a single construct was correlated witb both social sup- port and good physical health but was unrelated to depres- sion. Split into the three components, model fit was significantly increased. Frequency of church attendance was positively related to physical health and negatively re- lated to depression, but was smprisingly unrelated to so- cial support. Frequent churchgoers were about half as likely to be depressed. Private p1·ayer/Bible reading was negatively correlated with physical health and positively correlated with social support, but unrelated to depres- sion. Religious JV/radio listening was um·elated to social support, negatively related to good physical health, and, unexpectedly, positively associated with depression.