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How does religion influence one’s aging and health? Religion in Aging and Health brings together key scholars and scientists from several fields to advance epidemiologic and gerontological research into the role of religion in physical and mental health, psychological well-being, and other psychosocial and health outcomes. The first part of this volume contains four chapters that provide a theoretical context for this field and addresses such issues as hope, forgiveness, the psychodynamics of faith and belief, and coping. The second part seeks to advance the methodological sophistication of research in this area and emphasizes measurement and design issues. It also includes a cogent study of religious involvement among older African Americans.
From the Foreword by Martin Marty, Ph.D.,
Editor of The Christian Century:
“Religion in Aging and Health, on first appearance, looks like a jeremiad. The jeremiad is a literary form that is at home in America, but one that has roots in ancient
Israel: a literary work or speech expressing a bitter lament or a righteous prophecy. The editor and authors have much to complain about. The healing profession and, in the present case, the social scientists
and others who study attitudes toward health and illness tend to overlook a major dimension that should be in their scope: the religious involvement of people. This book would help in redirecting studies of religion
and health. . . . Levin, up front, says that in the face of all the publications and other developments in this field, ‘there is no nice way to put it: Mainstream scientists and scholars seem positively
oblivious to the presence of the expanding literature base of empirical data supportive of a salutary role for religion.’ There is something even less nice to say henceforth: If they continue to live in
oblivion after these essays are easily available, the scientific character of their place in the mainstream deserves questioning.”
Praise for Religion in Aging and Health:
“This books’ stated purpose is to provide theoretical and methodological resources to support a growing body of research on the interactions among religion, aging, and
health. Overall, the book makes a substantial contribution toward this goal. In addition, it makes a significant contribution by reviewing substantive knowledge in a number of areas related to the central topics. .
. The material is readable and jargon is kept to a minimum.”
Robert C. Atchley, Ph.D., Naropa Institute, Boulder, CO
“Levin’s book lives up to its subtitle. It is a solid castigation of researchers who have long ignored the role of religion in later life mental health.”
Clinical Gerontologist
“Until very recently, religion has been largely overlooked in health research. . . . These essays show that when it is conceptualized more carefully, and measured with greater
precision, religiosity may be a surprisingly powerful predictor of health status and general life satisfaction, especially among the aging.”
Religious Studies Review
“. . . this book makes a very important contribution. Martin Marty does not understate its significance when he says in the Preface that now mainstream scientists can no
longer justify ignoring the salutary role of religion on health.”
Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
“Levin deplores the ‘collective amnesia’ of social scientists and biomedical researchers who ignore or overlook the positive role of religion in health despite some 400
published empirical studies on the topic (and possibly another 1,000 if psychological outcomes and health-related behaviors are included), all of which ‘point consistently, though not unanimously, to a positive health
promotive role for religion.’”
The Gerontologist
“The chapters in this book present tightly argued interpretations of data as well as historical, theological, philosophical, and literary reflections on religion’s role in the
lives of older persons. . . . Thus, readers of diverse backgrounds ought to find this book engaging and stimulating.”
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
“Levin offers corrections to the atheoretical and poor methodology of earlier work. A good review and contribution to the literature concerning the links between religion and
health/aging and methodological issues in research.”
Christian Sociological Society Newsletter
“This volume is supported by thorough sets of references and by perceptive suggestions for further study and research. The time is right for a creative partnership between
practical theology and social gerontology . . . .”
Church of England Newspaper
"By far the greatest strength of the publication is the demonstration that, even with the limited amount of research available, there is merit and substance to the relationship
between religion and health, on multiple levels, potentially more far-reaching than is currently understood."
Educational Gerontology
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