Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 1/2020

01-02-2020 | Original Paper

Does Religious Activity Distinguish the Mortality Experiences of Older Taiwanese? An Analysis Using Eighteen Years of Follow-Up Data

Authors: Zachary Zimmer, Chi-Tsun Chiu, Yasuhiko Saito, Yu-Hsuan Lin, Mary Beth Ofstedal, Carol Jagger

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 1/2020

Login to get access

Abstract

This paper extends investigation of religiosity and longevity to Taiwan using a 1989 survey: N = 3849, aged 60+, with 18 years of follow-up. Religious activity is measured as worship and performance of rituals. A Gompertz regression, adjusted and non-adjusted for covariates and mediating factors, shows the hazard of dying is lower for the religiously active versus the non-active. Transformed into life table functions, a 60-year-old religiously active Taiwanese female lives more than 1 year longer than her non-religious counterpart, ceteris paribus. Mainland Chinese migrants are examined carefully because of unique religious and health characteristics. They live longer, but the religiosity gap is similar.
Literature
go back to reference Argue, A., Johnson, D. R., & White, L. K. (1999). Age and religiosity: Evidence from a three-wave panel analysis. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion,38(3), 423–435. Argue, A., Johnson, D. R., & White, L. K. (1999). Age and religiosity: Evidence from a three-wave panel analysis. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion,38(3), 423–435.
go back to reference Bono, G., & McCullough, M. E. (2004). Religion, forgiveness, and adjustment in older adulthood. In K. W. Schaie, N. Krause, & A. Booth (Eds.), Religious influences on health and well-being in the elderly (pp. 163–186). New York: Springer. Bono, G., & McCullough, M. E. (2004). Religion, forgiveness, and adjustment in older adulthood. In K. W. Schaie, N. Krause, & A. Booth (Eds.), Religious influences on health and well-being in the elderly (pp. 163–186). New York: Springer.
go back to reference Chang, M.-C., & Hermalin, A. I. (1989). 1989 Survey of health and living status of the elderly in Taiwan: Questionnaire and survey design. In Comparative study of the elderly in four Asian countries, Research Report No. 1. Ann Arbor, MI: The University of Michigan. Chang, M.-C., & Hermalin, A. I. (1989). 1989 Survey of health and living status of the elderly in Taiwan: Questionnaire and survey design. In Comparative study of the elderly in four Asian countries, Research Report No. 1. Ann Arbor, MI: The University of Michigan.
go back to reference Chida, Y., Steptoe, A., & Powell, L. H. (2009). Religiosity/spirituality and mortality. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics,78(2), 81–90.PubMed Chida, Y., Steptoe, A., & Powell, L. H. (2009). Religiosity/spirituality and mortality. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics,78(2), 81–90.PubMed
go back to reference Davidson, R. J., Kabat-Zinn, J., Schumacher, J., Rosenkranz, M., Muller, D., Santorelli, S. F., et al. (2003). Alterations in brain and immune function produced by mindfulness meditation. Psychosomatic Medicine,65(4), 564–570.PubMed Davidson, R. J., Kabat-Zinn, J., Schumacher, J., Rosenkranz, M., Muller, D., Santorelli, S. F., et al. (2003). Alterations in brain and immune function produced by mindfulness meditation. Psychosomatic Medicine,65(4), 564–570.PubMed
go back to reference Ellison, C. G., & Levin, J. S. (1998). The relgion-health connection: Evidence, theory, and future directions. Health Education and Behaviors,25(6), 700–720. Ellison, C. G., & Levin, J. S. (1998). The relgion-health connection: Evidence, theory, and future directions. Health Education and Behaviors,25(6), 700–720.
go back to reference George, L. K., Ellison, C. G., & Larson, D. B. (2002). Explaining the relationships between religious involvement and health. Psychological Inquiry,13(3), 190–200. George, L. K., Ellison, C. G., & Larson, D. B. (2002). Explaining the relationships between religious involvement and health. Psychological Inquiry,13(3), 190–200.
go back to reference Hermalin, A. I. (2002). The well-being of the elderly in Asia: A four-country comparative study. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press. Hermalin, A. I. (2002). The well-being of the elderly in Asia: A four-country comparative study. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press.
go back to reference Hill, T. D., Angel, J. L., Ellison, C. G., & Angel, R. J. (2005). Religious attendance and mortality: An 8-year follow-up of older Mexican Americans. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences,60(2), 102–109. Hill, T. D., Angel, J. L., Ellison, C. G., & Angel, R. J. (2005). Religious attendance and mortality: An 8-year follow-up of older Mexican Americans. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences,60(2), 102–109.
go back to reference Hill, T. D., Ellison, C. G., Burdette, A. M., & Musick, M. A. (2007). Religious involvement and healthy lifestyles: Evidence from the survey of Texas adults. Annals of Behavioral Medicine,34(2), 217–222.PubMed Hill, T. D., Ellison, C. G., Burdette, A. M., & Musick, M. A. (2007). Religious involvement and healthy lifestyles: Evidence from the survey of Texas adults. Annals of Behavioral Medicine,34(2), 217–222.PubMed
go back to reference Hummer, R. A. (2005). Commentary: Understanding religious involvement and mortality risk in the United States: Comment on Bagiella, Hong, and Sloan. International Journal of Epidemiology,34(2), 452–453.PubMed Hummer, R. A. (2005). Commentary: Understanding religious involvement and mortality risk in the United States: Comment on Bagiella, Hong, and Sloan. International Journal of Epidemiology,34(2), 452–453.PubMed
go back to reference Hummer, R. A., Benjamins, M. R., Ellison, C. G., & Rogers, R. G. (2010). Religious involvement and mortality risk among pre-retirement aged US adults. In C. G. Ellison & R. A. Hummer (Eds.), Religion, families, and health: Population-based research in the United States (pp. 273–291). New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. Hummer, R. A., Benjamins, M. R., Ellison, C. G., & Rogers, R. G. (2010). Religious involvement and mortality risk among pre-retirement aged US adults. In C. G. Ellison & R. A. Hummer (Eds.), Religion, families, and health: Population-based research in the United States (pp. 273–291). New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
go back to reference Hummer, R. A., Rogers, R. G., Nam, C. B., & Ellison, C. G. (1999). Religious involvement and US adult mortality. Demography,36(2), 273–285.PubMed Hummer, R. A., Rogers, R. G., Nam, C. B., & Ellison, C. G. (1999). Religious involvement and US adult mortality. Demography,36(2), 273–285.PubMed
go back to reference Idler, E. L., Musick, M. A., Ellison, C. G., George, L. K., Krause, N., Ory, M. G., et al. (2003). Measuring multiple dimensions of religion and spirituality for health research: Conceptual background and findings from the 1998 General Social Survey. Research on Aging,25(4), 327–365. Idler, E. L., Musick, M. A., Ellison, C. G., George, L. K., Krause, N., Ory, M. G., et al. (2003). Measuring multiple dimensions of religion and spirituality for health research: Conceptual background and findings from the 1998 General Social Survey. Research on Aging,25(4), 327–365.
go back to reference Iwasaki, M., Otani, T., Sunaga, R., Miyazaki, H., Xiao, L., Wang, N., et al. (2002). Social networks and mortality based on the Komo-Ise cohort study in Japan. International Journal of Epidemiology,31(6), 1208.PubMed Iwasaki, M., Otani, T., Sunaga, R., Miyazaki, H., Xiao, L., Wang, N., et al. (2002). Social networks and mortality based on the Komo-Ise cohort study in Japan. International Journal of Epidemiology,31(6), 1208.PubMed
go back to reference Kinsella, K., & Phillips, D. R. (2005). Global aging: The challenge of success. Population Bulletin,60(1), 1–40. Kinsella, K., & Phillips, D. R. (2005). Global aging: The challenge of success. Population Bulletin,60(1), 1–40.
go back to reference Koch, C. (2013). The brain of Buddha. Scientific American Mind,24(3), 28–31. Koch, C. (2013). The brain of Buddha. Scientific American Mind,24(3), 28–31.
go back to reference Koenig, H. G. (2001). Religion, spirituality, and medicine: How are they related and what does it mean? Mayo Clinic Proceedings,76(12), 1189–1191.PubMed Koenig, H. G. (2001). Religion, spirituality, and medicine: How are they related and what does it mean? Mayo Clinic Proceedings,76(12), 1189–1191.PubMed
go back to reference Koenig, H. G. (2013). Is religion good for your health? The effects of religion on physical and mental health. New York: Routledge. Koenig, H. G. (2013). Is religion good for your health? The effects of religion on physical and mental health. New York: Routledge.
go back to reference Krause, N. (2002). Church-based social support and health in old age exploring variations by Race. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences,57(6), S332–S347. Krause, N. (2002). Church-based social support and health in old age exploring variations by Race. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences,57(6), S332–S347.
go back to reference Krause, N., & Booth, A. (2004). Religious influences on health and well-being in the elderly. New York: Springer. Krause, N., & Booth, A. (2004). Religious influences on health and well-being in the elderly. New York: Springer.
go back to reference Krause, N., & Hayward, D. R. (2014). Hostility, religious involvement, gratitude and self-rated health in late life. Research on Aging,36(6), 731–752.PubMed Krause, N., & Hayward, D. R. (2014). Hostility, religious involvement, gratitude and self-rated health in late life. Research on Aging,36(6), 731–752.PubMed
go back to reference Lawler-Row, K. A., & Elliott, J. (2009). The role of religious activity and spirituality in the health and well-being of older adults. Journal of Health Psychology,14(1), 43.PubMed Lawler-Row, K. A., & Elliott, J. (2009). The role of religious activity and spirituality in the health and well-being of older adults. Journal of Health Psychology,14(1), 43.PubMed
go back to reference Ledesma, D., & Kumano, H. (2009). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and cancer: A meta-analysis. Psycho-Oncology,18(6), 571–579.PubMed Ledesma, D., & Kumano, H. (2009). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and cancer: A meta-analysis. Psycho-Oncology,18(6), 571–579.PubMed
go back to reference Levin, J. S., & Chatters, L. M. (2008). Religion, aging, and health: Historical perspectives, current trends, and future directions: Public health. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging,20(1–2), 153–172. Levin, J. S., & Chatters, L. M. (2008). Religion, aging, and health: Historical perspectives, current trends, and future directions: Public health. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging,20(1–2), 153–172.
go back to reference Levin, J. S., Taylor, R. J., & Chatters, L. M. (1994). Race and gender differences in religiosity among older adults: Findings from four national surveys. Journal of Gerontology,49(3), S137–S145.PubMed Levin, J. S., Taylor, R. J., & Chatters, L. M. (1994). Race and gender differences in religiosity among older adults: Findings from four national surveys. Journal of Gerontology,49(3), S137–S145.PubMed
go back to reference Liu, E. Y., Schieman, S., & Jang, S. J. (2011). Religiousness, spirituality, and psychological distress in Taiwan. Review of Religious Research,53(2), 137–159. Liu, E. Y., Schieman, S., & Jang, S. J. (2011). Religiousness, spirituality, and psychological distress in Taiwan. Review of Religious Research,53(2), 137–159.
go back to reference Lutz, A., Slagter, H. A., Dunne, J. D., & Davidson, R. J. (2008). Attention regulation and monitoring in meditation. Trends in Cognitive Sciences,12(4), 163–169.PubMedPubMedCentral Lutz, A., Slagter, H. A., Dunne, J. D., & Davidson, R. J. (2008). Attention regulation and monitoring in meditation. Trends in Cognitive Sciences,12(4), 163–169.PubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Marmot, M. (2005). Social determinants of health inequalities. The Lancet,365(9464), 1099–1104. Marmot, M. (2005). Social determinants of health inequalities. The Lancet,365(9464), 1099–1104.
go back to reference Mineau, G., Smith, K. R., & Bean, L. (2004). Adult mortality risks and religious affiliation. Paper presented at the Annales de démographie historique. Mineau, G., Smith, K. R., & Bean, L. (2004). Adult mortality risks and religious affiliation. Paper presented at the Annales de démographie historique.
go back to reference Moreira-Almeida, A. (2013). Religion and health: The more we know the more we need to know. World Psychiatry,12(1), 37–38.PubMedPubMedCentral Moreira-Almeida, A. (2013). Religion and health: The more we know the more we need to know. World Psychiatry,12(1), 37–38.PubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Neugarten, B. L., Havighurst, R. J., & Tobin, S. S. (1961). The measurement of life satisfaction. Journal of Gerontology,16, 134–143.PubMed Neugarten, B. L., Havighurst, R. J., & Tobin, S. S. (1961). The measurement of life satisfaction. Journal of Gerontology,16, 134–143.PubMed
go back to reference Nicholson, A., Rose, R., & Bobak, M. (2010). Associations between different dimensions of religious involvement and self-rated health in diverse European populations. Health Psychology,29(2), 227–235.PubMed Nicholson, A., Rose, R., & Bobak, M. (2010). Associations between different dimensions of religious involvement and self-rated health in diverse European populations. Health Psychology,29(2), 227–235.PubMed
go back to reference Penninx, B. W., Van Tilburg, T., Kriegsman, D. M., Deeg, D. J., Boeke, A. J. P., & van Eijk, J. T. M. (1997). Effects of social support and personal coping resources on mortality in older age: The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. American Journal of Epidemiology,146(6), 510–519.PubMed Penninx, B. W., Van Tilburg, T., Kriegsman, D. M., Deeg, D. J., Boeke, A. J. P., & van Eijk, J. T. M. (1997). Effects of social support and personal coping resources on mortality in older age: The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. American Journal of Epidemiology,146(6), 510–519.PubMed
go back to reference Phillips, R. L. (1975). Role of life-style and dietary habits in risk of cancer among seventh-day adventists. Cancer Research,35(11), 3513–3522.PubMed Phillips, R. L. (1975). Role of life-style and dietary habits in risk of cancer among seventh-day adventists. Cancer Research,35(11), 3513–3522.PubMed
go back to reference Pirutinsky, S., Rosmarin, D. H., Holt, C. L., Feldman, R. H., Caplan, L. S., Midlarsky, E., et al. (2011). Does social support mediate the moderating effect of intrinsic religiosity on the relationship between physical health and depressive symptoms among Jews? Journal of Behavioral Medicine,34(6), 489–496.PubMedPubMedCentral Pirutinsky, S., Rosmarin, D. H., Holt, C. L., Feldman, R. H., Caplan, L. S., Midlarsky, E., et al. (2011). Does social support mediate the moderating effect of intrinsic religiosity on the relationship between physical health and depressive symptoms among Jews? Journal of Behavioral Medicine,34(6), 489–496.PubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D Scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement,1(3), 385–401. Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D Scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement,1(3), 385–401.
go back to reference Seybold, K. S., & Hill, P. C. (2001). The role of religion and spirituality in mental and physical health. Current Directions in Psychological Science,10(1), 21–24. Seybold, K. S., & Hill, P. C. (2001). The role of religion and spirituality in mental and physical health. Current Directions in Psychological Science,10(1), 21–24.
go back to reference Strawbridge, W. J., Shema, S. J., Cohen, R. D., & Kaplan, G. A. (2001). Religious attendance increases survival by improving and maintaining good health behaviors, mental health, and social relationships. Annals of Behavioral Medicine,23(1), 68–74.PubMed Strawbridge, W. J., Shema, S. J., Cohen, R. D., & Kaplan, G. A. (2001). Religious attendance increases survival by improving and maintaining good health behaviors, mental health, and social relationships. Annals of Behavioral Medicine,23(1), 68–74.PubMed
go back to reference UNFPA, & HelpAge International. (2012). Ageing in the twenty-first century: A celebration and a challenge. New York: United Nations Population Fund and Help Age International. UNFPA, & HelpAge International. (2012). Ageing in the twenty-first century: A celebration and a challenge. New York: United Nations Population Fund and Help Age International.
go back to reference United Nations. (2016). World population prospects: The 2016 revision. New York: United Nations. United Nations. (2016). World population prospects: The 2016 revision. New York: United Nations.
go back to reference Yeager, D. M., Glei, D. A., Au, M., Lin, H.-S., Sloan, R. P., & Weinstein, M. (2006). Religious involvement and health outcomes among older persons in Taiwan. Social Science and Medicine,63(8), 2228–2241.PubMed Yeager, D. M., Glei, D. A., Au, M., Lin, H.-S., Sloan, R. P., & Weinstein, M. (2006). Religious involvement and health outcomes among older persons in Taiwan. Social Science and Medicine,63(8), 2228–2241.PubMed
go back to reference Zhang, W. (2008). Religious participation and mortality risk among the oldest old in China. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences,63(5), 293–297. Zhang, W. (2008). Religious participation and mortality risk among the oldest old in China. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences,63(5), 293–297.
go back to reference Zimmer, Z., Jagger, C., Chiu, C.-T., Ofstedal, M. B., Rojo, F., & Saito, Y. (2016). Spirituality, religiosity, aging and health in global perspective: A review. SSM-Population Health,2(December), 373–381.PubMedPubMedCentral Zimmer, Z., Jagger, C., Chiu, C.-T., Ofstedal, M. B., Rojo, F., & Saito, Y. (2016). Spirituality, religiosity, aging and health in global perspective: A review. SSM-Population Health,2(December), 373–381.PubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Zimmer, Z., Martin, L. G., & Lin, H.-S. (2005). Determinants of old-age mortality in Taiwan. Social Science and Medicine,60(2), 457–470.PubMed Zimmer, Z., Martin, L. G., & Lin, H.-S. (2005). Determinants of old-age mortality in Taiwan. Social Science and Medicine,60(2), 457–470.PubMed
go back to reference Zimmer, Z., Rojo, F., Ofstedal, M. B., Chiu, C. T., Saito, Y., & Jagger, C. (2019). Religiosity and health: A global comparative study. Social Science & Medicine: Population Health,7(April), 1–9. Zimmer, Z., Rojo, F., Ofstedal, M. B., Chiu, C. T., Saito, Y., & Jagger, C. (2019). Religiosity and health: A global comparative study. Social Science & Medicine: Population Health,7(April), 1–9.
go back to reference Zuckerman, D. M., Kasl, S. V., & Ostfeld, A. M. (1984). Psychosocial predictors of mortality among the elderly poor. American Journal of Epidemiology,119(3), 410–423.PubMed Zuckerman, D. M., Kasl, S. V., & Ostfeld, A. M. (1984). Psychosocial predictors of mortality among the elderly poor. American Journal of Epidemiology,119(3), 410–423.PubMed
Metadata
Title
Does Religious Activity Distinguish the Mortality Experiences of Older Taiwanese? An Analysis Using Eighteen Years of Follow-Up Data
Authors
Zachary Zimmer
Chi-Tsun Chiu
Yasuhiko Saito
Yu-Hsuan Lin
Mary Beth Ofstedal
Carol Jagger
Publication date
01-02-2020
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00778-x

Other articles of this Issue 1/2020

Journal of Religion and Health 1/2020 Go to the issue