Mobility Limitation and Frequency of Attendance at Religious Services in American Women and Men

Abstract

The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) included 11,820 persons aged 20 years and over with complete data on self-reported mobility limitation, and frequency of attendance at religious services. Secondary analysis of these data were performed using multiple logistic regression. In persons aged 60y +, mobility limitation was associated with less than weekly attendance at religious services, but significant adjusted associations were not seen in younger persons. This analysis illustrates use of public data from national health surveys for research on religion and disability.

Objective. In a representative sample of the U.S. population, the association of mobility limitation and attendance at religious services was assessed. Method. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) included 11,820 persons aged 20 years and over with complete data on self-reported mobility limitation, and frequency of attendance at religious services. Secondary analyses of these data were performed using multiple logistic regression. Results. At age 60 y and over but not 20-59 y within ethnic groups, women and men with mobility limitation were less likely to report weekly religious attendance than others. For example, in African Americans 60 + y women limited 50.3% versus not limited 69.9%; men limited 27.2% versus not limited 46.5%. The association persisted even after controlling for socio-demographic variables and overall health status in multivariate regression models. No significant associations were seen at age 20-59 y.

Conclusions. In older persons, mobility limitation was significantly associated with less frequent attendance at religious services. Significant adjusted associations were not seen in younger persons.

Key Words:

• Religion
• social support
• spirituality
• Disabled persons
• blacks
• Hispanics