ABSTRACT
The chapter surveys the empirical literature linking religious service attendance to a variety of health and well-being outcomes. Research on associations between religious service attendance and all-cause mortality, depression, suicide, health behaviours and other health and well-being outcomes is reviewed. Past critiques of the empirical research on religion and health are described and discussion is given to the question as to whether the associations are in fact causal. Possible mechanisms governing the associations between religion and health are reviewed. A brief summary of the research linking forgiveness to health is also provided. The chapter concludes with discussion of the implications of this research on religion and health.
