CHURCH ATTENDANCE, RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION AND PARENTAL RESPONSES TO SUDDEN INFANT DEATH, NEONATAL DEATH AND STILLBIRTH

There is an association between religion and health: those who are rel igious have healthier life-styles resulting in less physical illness a nd improved longevity. Some evidence shows that there may be a benefic ial association between religion and psychological well-being. With be reavement, some may ''turn to God'' while others ''turn away from God' '; this occurrence may be reflected in their church attendance. In a p rospective study, families who had experienced death from Sudden Infan t Death Syndrome, Neonatal Death, or Stillbirth were compared for anxi ety, depression, and church attendance with control families who had n ot experienced such bereavement. A traditionally held belief that reli gion offers consolation for the grief of bereavement and that the bere aved ''turn to God'' as reflected in church attendance was not confirm ed. There is the suggestion that the bereaved who attend church regula rly have less anxiety and depression compared with the irregular or no n-church attenders.