RELIGION AND SUBJECTIVE HEALTH AMONG BLACK-AND-WHITE ELDERS

This study examines the effect of religion on subjective health in a s ample of Black and White elderly adults living in a southern community of the United States. The analyses lead to several conclusions. First , the findings indicate that future analyses examining the link betwee n religion and subjective health should incorporate measures of functi onal health. Second, the differences found between Blacks and Whites w arrant separation by race in future studies of religion and health. Th ird, the effects of religion on subjective health seem to be greatest for those suffering from physical health problems. This last finding e mphasizes the comfort role of religion suggested by other researchers.