Religiosity and Health

K., Srinivasan and Raka, Sharan (2005): Religiosity and Health. Published in: Review of Social Sciences. , Vol. Vol. 6, No. Jul - Dec 2005, Vol. 6, No. 2 (December 2005)

Abstract

There are studies showing linkages between religious beliefs and health. The importance of religion on health has been examined by studies (Vaux 1976), the dietary beliefs in health and illness (Chan Ho 1985), the role of religion in morbidity and mortalitiy (Jarvis and North Cott 1987), the Religion and other factors influencing health status (Idler and Kasl 1992). In India studies showing the role of caste and religion in terms of specific behaviour of individual groups in the power structure and related this to their healthculture (Banerji 1982), and the role of magic and other beliefs among a south Indian caste in health (Dumont 1986). Based on the concurrency in the issue the present paper focuses its attention on the various aspects of religiosity and health It is observed by various researches that the rural population of India, is very much influenced by religious beliefs. For example cultural formation of individuals closely inter linked with performance of individual's daily routine. Therefore, let us first examine the impact of religious practices and rituals as aspects of religiosity on health with specific reference to rural individuals of India

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Religion, health, community affliation, health management, health care decision, decision, community decision, health seeking behaviour
• Subjects: I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I1 - Health > I12 - Health Behavior

References

1. Banerji, D, Poverty, Class and health culture in India, New Delhi, Prachi Prakashan, 1982. 2. Chan Ho, Suzanne, S.Y., Dietary beliefs in health and illness using grounded theory, Social Science and Medicine, Vol 30, 1990. 3. Dumont, L., A South Indian Subcaste, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1986. Idler Ellen.L, Kasl Staus Laur V., Religion, disability, depression, and the timing of death, AJS, Vol 47, No. 4, 1992 Jan. 4. Jarvis, George K; North Cott C, Religion and differences in Morbidity and Mortality, Social Science and Medicine, Vol 25, No.7, 1987. 5. Vaux, Kenneth, Religion and Health, Preventive and Social Medicine, No. 5, 522-536, 1976.