Thursday, January 29, 2004
Study: Religious seniors tend to be happier
Two Maine sociologists have confirmed that, at least for older people, being a religious believer can help you here on earth.
UMaine professors Steven Barkan and Susan Greenwood studied survey results from several hundred senior citizens across the country.
They found that people age 65 and up tend to be happier and more satisfied with their lives if they attend religious services more frequently.
The professors are not suggesting that all older people immediately convert to a religion, or that being a believer will guarantee good health.
But Barkan says institutions that work with the elderly should make religious activity available to those who might be interested.
Thee article reaffirms similar results found by authors of smaller, less random studies that go back for decades.
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