Religion in the Lives of African Americans: Social, Psychological, and Health Perspectives

"This is an outstanding book that provides the reader with an in-depth understanding of religion in the lives of African Americans. Both historical and empirical research findings provide a context for understanding religion in the lives of African Americans. Most importantly, this book highlights the role religion plays in affecting emotional and physical health processes and outcomes among African Americans. The contributions of this book to the discussion of religion in the social and behavioral sciences will last for years!"                  --Peggye Dilworth-Anderson, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill "This is a blockbuster of a book on black religion. Comprehensive, systematic, analytic, and very well written, it sets a new high water mark in the social scientific study of religion and life in the African American Community. It will be especially helpful in the teaching of undergraduate and graduate courses in African American history and culture."                                                             --Andrew Billingsley, University of South Carolina The religious faith of African Americans has many avenues of expression. Consequently, there has been a long-standing interest in the nature, patterns, and functions of religion in the lives of this particular ethnic group. African American religious life, in all its forms, is a vibrant, creative, resourceful testament to the power of faith to uplift and sustain in the face of prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion. Religion in the Lives of African Americans: Social, Psychological, and Health Perspectives examines many broad issues including the structure and sociodemographic patterns of religious involvement; the relationship between religion and physical and mental health and well-being; the impact of church support and the use of ministers for personal issues; and the role of religion within specific subgroups of the African American population such as women and the elderly. Authors Robert Joseph Taylor, Linda M. Chatters, and Jeff Levin reflect upon current empirical research and derive conclusions from several wide-ranging national surveys, as well as a focus group study of religion and coping. Features and Benefits: Empirical. Incorporates findings from a total of eight national surveys that contain representative cross-section samples of the adult Black population living in the continental U.S. Additionally, a focus group study conducted by the Program for Research on Black Americans at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, provides a rich source of qualitative information about the nature and functions of religion. Interdisciplinary. Although the primary points of view are sociological and psychological, the perspectives represented by the authors transcend disciplinary bounds. Pedagogical. Includes important data sources, tables, recommendations for further reading and resources, end of chapter summaries, and implications for future research that enhance student comprehension. Recommended for students taking courses in racial and ethnic studies, multicultural and minority studies, black studies, religious studies, psychology, sociology, human development and family studies, gerontology, social work, public health, and nursing.

Table of Contents:
Foreword - James S. Jackson Acknowledgments 1. Introduction Goals for the Book Data Sources Format and Scope of the Volume Part I: Patterns of Religion 2. African American Religious Participation Overview of Chapter The Interface Between Religiosity and Spirituality Models of Religious Involvement in Black Churches Socio-Historical Role of the Church Religious Denomination Denominational Switching Generational Differences in Religious Denomination Conceptualization and Measurement of Religious Involvement Structural Determinants of Religious Involvement Profile of Religious Participation Black-White Differences Gender Differences Age Differences Marital Status Differences Education and Income Differences Regional and Urban-Rural Differences Denominational Differences in Religious Participation Physical Health Differences Religious Participation Among Elderly Blacks Religious Participation Among Blacks Adolescents Religious Noninvolvement Religious Artifacts Religious Identity Focus Group Findings Prayer Reading Religious Materials Religious Programming Meditation Religious Participation in the Context of Work Living in a Christ-Like Manner Volunteerism as a Form of Religious Participation Organized Religious Activities Focus Group Summary Chapter Summary and Conclusion 3. The Frequency and Importance of Prayer Research on Prayer Research on Prayer Among Black Americans Requests for Prayer Focus Group Findings Communication and Relationship With God God as Best Friend Meditation and Prayer Prayers of Thanksgiving Prayers of Petition Prayer as Intercession Writing Down One′s Prayers The Importance of Prayer The Power of Prayer Focus Group Summary Chapter Summary and Conclusion Part II: Functions of Religion 4. Prayer as a Source of Coping Coping With Personal Problems Prayer and Coping With Life Problems Religious Coping and Caregiving Religious Coping and Health and Illness Harmful Effects of Religious Coping Prayer and Coping Among Black Americans Focus Group Findings Prayer Is an Ongoing Coping Activity Interpersonal Conflicts on the Job Prayer Gives Strength, Wisdom, and Guidance Prayer Reduces Stress Spiritual Component of Prayer Loving Your Enemies/Forgiveness Power of Prayer Focus Group Summary Chapter Summary and Conclusion 5. Use of Ministers for Personal Problems Clergy and Formal Support Systems Clergy as a Coping Resource Survey Data on the Use of Ministers Focus Group Findings Patterns and Circumstances of Using Ministers Deciding to Forgo Clergy Help Choosing to Disclose Difficult Problems Focus Group Summary Chapter Summary and Conclusion 6. Church Members as a Source of Social Support Church-Based Informal Social Support Family and Church Support Profile of the Receipt of Support From Church Members Focus Group Findings Church Members Provide Instrumental and Emotional Support Importance of Building Relationships With Church Members Importance of Having Church Members Provide Support Similarity Between Church Members and Family Members Formal Programs in the Church Reciprocal Relationships Giving Help to Church Members Difficulty in Giving and Receiving Help Focus Group Summary Chapter Summary and Conclusion 7. Negative Interaction Among Church Members Research on Negative Interaction Negative Interaction Among African Americans Negative Interaction Among Church Members Survey Findings on Negative Interaction Among Church Members Focus Group Findings Church Members, Like Family Members, Have Conflict Gossip Avoiding Gossip Generational Differences Conflict Over Special Programs and Board Meetings Losing Church Members Because of Conflict Avoiding Conflict Feeling Unwelcome Helping People Feel Welcome Other Concerns Problems in Church Do Not Inhibit Attendance and Participation Focus Group Summary Chapter Summary and Conclusion Part III: Effects of Religion 8. Impact of Religion on Physical Health Research on Religion and Health Religion and Health in African Americans Religion and Morbidity in Study Samples of Whites and Blacks Religion and Morbidity in African American Study Samples Religion and Mortality in African Americans Religion, Race, and Health: Theoretical Considerations 9. Impact of Religion on Mental Health and Well-Being Religion and Mental Health: Clinical and Population-Based Research Religion, Aging, and Psychological Well-Being Religion, Mental Health, and Well-Being in African Americans Studies in Which Effects of Race Are Controlled Religion and Mental-Health Outcomes Religion and Psychological Well-Being Studies That Investigate Racial Differences African American Study Samples Religion and Depressive Symptoms Religion and Positive Well-Being Religion, Race, and Mental Health: Directions for Future Research 10. Conclusions and Implications Chapter Review and Implications Current Research Projects Appendix A: Data Sources Appendix B: Multivariate Tables Recommended Reading and Resource Guide References Author Index Subject Index About the Authors