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01-12-2018 | Original Paper

Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Utilization of Prayer and Clergy Counseling by Infertile US Women Desiring Pregnancy

Authors: Stephen C. Collins, Soorin Kim, Esther Chan

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 6/2018

Abstract

Religion can have a significant influence on the experience of infertility. However, it is unclear how many US women turn to religion when facing infertility. Here, we examine the utilization of prayer and clergy counsel among a nationally representative sample of 1062 infertile US women. Prayer was used by 74.8% of the participants, and clergy counsel was the most common formal support system utilized. Both prayer and clergy counsel were significantly more common among black and Hispanic women. Healthcare providers should acknowledge the spiritual needs of their infertile patients and ally with clergy when possible to provide maximally effective care.

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Title: Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Utilization of Prayer and Clergy Counseling by Infertile US Women Desiring Pregnancy
Authors: Stephen C. Collins
Soorin Kim
Esther Chan
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 6/2018
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0536-4

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