Abstract
In-person religious service attendance has been linked to favorable health and well-being outcomes. However, little research has examined whether online religious participation improves these outcomes, especially when in-person attendance is suspended. Using longitudinal data of 8951 UK adults, this study prospectively examined the association between frequency of online religious participation during the stringent lockdown in the UK (23 March -13 May 2020) and 21 indicators of psychological well-being, social well-being, pro-social/altruistic behaviors, psychological distress, and health behaviors. All analyses adjusted for baseline socio-demographic characteristics, pre-pandemic in-person religious service attendance, and prior values of the outcome variables whenever data were available. Bonferroni correction was used to correct for multiple testing. Individuals with online religious participation of ≥1/week (v. those with no participation at all) during the lockdown had a lower prevalence of thoughts of self-harm in week 20 (odds ratio 0.24; 95% CI 0.09-0.62). Online religious participation of <1/week (v. no participation) was associated with higher life satisfaction (standardized β = 0.25; 0.11-0.39) and happiness (standardized β = 0.25; 0.08-0.42). However, there was little evidence for the associations between online religious participation and all other outcomes (e.g. depressive symptoms and anxiety). There was evidence that online religious participation during the lockdown was associated with some subsequent health and well-being outcomes. Future studies should examine mechanisms underlying the inconsistent results for online v. in-person religious service attendance and also use data from non-pandemic situations.
Highlights
The goal of public health is to promote comprehensive health, including psychological, social, and spiritual well-being (Grad, 2002; UN General Assembly, 2015; VanderWeele, 2017a)
In this large prospective study of UK adults, we examined the associations of online religious participation during a period of stringent lockdown in the UK (23 March to 13 May 2020) – when in-person religious services were suspended – with an array of subsequent health and well-being outcomes including psychological well-being, social well-being, pro-social/altruistic behaviors, psychological distress, and health behaviors
We found little evidence of associations between online religious participation of either frequency and other health and well-being outcomes
Summary
The goal of public health is to promote comprehensive health, including psychological, social, and spiritual well-being (Grad, 2002; UN General Assembly, 2015; VanderWeele, 2017a). No study to date has rigorously examined the potential effects of online religious participation on health and well-being outcomes using longitudinal data. Little research has examined whether online religious participation improves these outcomes, especially when in-person attendance is suspended. Using longitudinal data of 8951 UK adults, this study prospectively examined the association between frequency of online religious participation during the stringent lockdown in the UK (23 March –13 May 2020) and 21 indicators of psychological well-being, social well-being, pro-social/altruistic behaviors, psychological distress, and health behaviors. There was evidence that online religious participation during the lockdown was associated with some subsequent health and well-being outcomes. Future studies should examine mechanisms underlying the inconsistent results for online v. in-person religious service attendance and use data from non-pandemic situations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
