ABSTRACT

A review of the studies of religiosity (commitment to religious beliefs and principles) and aging indicates a number of patterns of church attendance, belief in God, life satisfaction, and personal adjustment. This research indicates that church attendance hits a low point between ages 18 and 24, remains relatively stable between 25 and 54, rises slightly after 54, and drops slightly after 80. Thus, for most of one’s adult life up to age 80 church attendance is fairly stable with a slight rise in the later years. The data indicate that a majority of all age groups express a belief in God, but that the older people become, the more likely they are to do so. A higher percentage of the elderly believe that religion is important in their lives, and a higher percentage of them believe in immortality.