Race and gender differences in religiosity among older adults: findings from four national surveys

Abstract

Using data from four national surveys, this article presents findings on racial and gender differences in religiosity among older adults. Surveys include the second Quality of American Life study, the Myth and Reality of Aging study, wave one of Americans' Changing Lives, and the 1987 sample of the General Social Survey. These four data sources collectively include a broad range of items which tap the constructs of organizational, nonorganizational, and subjective religiosity. In all four studies, and for most indicators, results revealed significant racial and gender differences which consistently withstood controlling for sociodemographic effects, including age, education, marital status, family income, region, urbanicity, and subjective health.