Religion in the Lives of African Americans

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