Trajectories of disability in older adulthood and social support from a religious congregation: a growth curve analysis

This study examined the role of congregational support as a mechanism by which religious involvement may slow the decline
of functional ability during late life. Disability was tracked longitudinally over a 4-year period in a national sample of
805 Black and White older adults from the religion, aging, and health survey. Individuals with more extensive disability reported
receiving greater amounts of tangible support from their congregations. However, receiving higher levels of tangible support
was also associated with a slower trajectory of increase in disability over time. The relationship between congregational
support and disability did not differ significantly between Blacks and Whites. Results support the hypothesis that social
support networks based in the religious group are responsible for some of the association between religious involvement and
reduced risk of late life disability.