Document Type
Research Brief
Date
7-1-2017
Keywords
Religion, Baby Boomers, Aging
Language
English
Funder(s)
John Templeton Foundation, National Institute on Aging
Disciplines
Sociology
Description/Abstract
Evidence suggests that engagement in meaningful activities in later life produces a variety of benefits to physical health, mental health, longevity, and overall quality of life (Levin, 1993; McFadden, 1995; Krause, 2003; Hill, Burdette, & Idler, 2011). Religion represents a key activity domain in which older adults participate at relatively high levels, particularly in the United States where religion plays an outsized role compared to other developed countries. Religious involvement operates at both personal and institutional levels. At the personal level, religion provides for many a belief system and moral philosophy, as well as a framework for approaching difficult and ineffable events. These functions are closely related to the capacity of religion to infuse life with meaning, offer a route for personal growth, and provide moral guidance.
Recommended Citation
Silverstein, Merril D. and Bengtson, Vern L., "Return to Religion? Predictors of Religious Change Among Baby-Boomers in their Transition to Later Life" (2017). Aging Studies Institute. 3.
https://surface.syr.edu/asi/3
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Rights
© 2017 Syracuse University. This publication may be distributed freely for educational and research purposes as long as this copyright notice is attached. No commercial use of this material may be made without express written permission.
Additional Information
This Policy Brief series is a collection of essays on current public policy issues in aging and related research published by Syracuse University Aging Studies Institute. Prior to 2014, this series was published as part of the Syracuse University Center for Policy Research (CPR) Policy Brief Series.