In a new study published in the current issue of the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, researchers from the University of Denver, the University at Buffalo and the University of California, Irvine report that after a collective trauma, religiosity and spirituality independently predict people’s health outcomes.
A collective trauma is defined as a traumatic event that happens simultaneously to a large number of people – 9/11, in this case.
The study, “The Distinct Roles of Spirituality and Religiosity in Physical and Mental Health after Collective Trauma: A National Longitudinal Study of Responses to the 9/11 Attacks,” was conducted by Daniel N. McIntosh, PhD, professor of psychology at University of Denver; Michael J. Poulin, PhD, assistant professor of psychology at University at Buffalo; and E. Alison Holman, PhD, assistant professor of nursing science, UC Irvine.
In the three years following 9/11, they found that religious individuals (i.e., those who participated in religious social structures by attending services) had a higher positive affect, fewer cognitive intrusions (unwanted intrusive thoughts about 9/11), and lower odds of new onset mental and musculoskeletal ailments than among those in the study who expressed no religious or spiritual proclivities.
Those who were high versus low in spirituality (i.e. feeling a personal commitment to spiritual or religious beliefs) had a higher positive affect, lower odds of new onset infectious ailments and more cognitive intrusions, but a more rapid decline in intrusions over time.
“These findings focused on responses to a collective trauma,” Poulin says, “but they may apply to stress and coping more generally.”
Health information was collected from a nationally representative sample of 890 adults before 9/11. The subjects’ health, religiosity and spirituality were assessed longitudinally during six waves of data collection for three years following 9/11.
“Across that time span, with numerous controls, religiosity and spirituality were found to be independently and differentially related to mental and physical health,” Poulin says, “so they are not interchangeable indices of religion.”
The study controlled for age, gender, marital status, ethnicity, education and household income as well as direct exposure to the attacks, lifetime exposure to stressful events and such health risk factors as body mass index and smoking.
Gospel Skate
New Jerusalem Temple Church of God (8204 Page Blvd. in Vinita Park) will host a Gospel Skate at the St. Louis Skatium, 120 E. Catalan Ave. on Friday, May 13 from 8 p.m. to midnight . Tickets are $5 in advance or $6 at the door. Tickets include skate rental. Call Sis. Cecelia Key 314-420-3791.
Galilee celebrates pastoral anniversary
Galilee Baptist Church, 4300 Delmar, will celebrate the 19th Pastoral Anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Carton Ray Caldwell, along with first lady, Sis Aurita Prince-Caldwell. At 6 p.m. Saturday, May 21 they will show love to our first lady with guest speaker Sis D. Wooten, president of the Berean District Ministers Wives. Celebration continues 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 22 with Rev. C. Dennis Edwards, pastor, St. John M.B. Church, choir and members.
Morning Glory
Kingdom Women Ministries presents Morning Glory: Lessons On Prayer 8-10 a.m. Saturday, May 21 at Prince of Peace Church, 2741 Dayton St. Visit www.kingdomwomen.org or email kingdomwomen1109@yahoo.com
Rev. William G. Gillespie Avenue
Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church, under the leadership of Designated Pastor Rev. Dr. Mary Newbern-Williams, will celebrate the dedication of two blocks of Marcus Avenue, from St. Louis Avenue to Greer Avenue, as Rev. William G. Gillespie Avenue for his 53 years of leadership and service to this community .
Alderman Sam Moore will present an Ordinance proclaiming the approval of the street name change. The event will be noon Sunday, May 22 at the corner of Marcus and Labadie Avenue. Call 314-381-2770.
