July 2009 Role of Religiosity in the Lives of the Low-Income Population: A Comprehensive Review of the Evidence Final Report Prepared for Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Ave SW, Room 404E Washington, DC 20201 Prepared by Pamela Joshi, PhD Erin Hardy, MS Stephanie Hawkins, PhD RTI International 3040 Cornwallis Road Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 RTI Project Number 0211824.000 RTI Project Number 0211824.000 Role of Religiosity in the Lives of the Low-Income Population: A Comprehensive Review of the Evidence Final Report July 2009 Prepared for Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Ave SW, Room 404E Washington, DC 20201 Prepared by Pamela Joshi, PhD Erin Hardy, MS Stephanie Hawkins, PhD RTI International 3040 Cornwallis Road Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 _________________________________ RTI International is a trade name of Research Triangle Institute. Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank our research intern, Mischelle Messenger, for helping to review studies and manage the database for the literature review. We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of the RTI editorial and production staff, Jeff Novey, Anne Gering, and Norma DiVito. We would like to thank our colleagues at RTI International who reviewed chapters of this report in their areas of expertise. In addition, staff members at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, reviewed the report and provided helpful feedback. The Role of Religiosity in the Lives of the Low-Income Population report was produced by RTI International under Department of Health and Human Services contract No. GS10F0097L. Additional information about this project can be obtained from Alana Landey, the Federal Project Officer, at [email protected] or 202 401-6636. The views presented in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Contents Section Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-1 1. INTRODUCTION 1-1 Existing Research Points to Differences in Religious Involvement by Income........... 1-2 Limited Research on Religiosity in the Low-Income Population.............................. 1-3 Closing the Knowledge Gap for the Low-Income Population.................................. 1-3 Definitions Used in this Report......................................................................... 1-4 Methodological Considerations in the Religiosity Literature................................... 1-5 Reverse Causality................................................................................... 1-5 Selection Bias ........................................................................................ 1-5 Omitted Variable Bias ............................................................................. 1-6 Potential Pathways of the Effect of Religiosity .................................................... 1-6 Direct Effect of Organizational Religiosity on Outcomes................................ 1-7 Direct Effect of Individual Religiosity on Outcomes ...................................... 1-7 Indirect (or Mediating) Effect of Individual Religiosity on Outcomes ............... 1-7 Indirect (or Mediating) Effect of Organizational Religiosity on Outcomes......... 1-7 Effect of Family-Level and Community-Level Religiosity on Outcomes ............ 1-8 Moderating Effect of Religiosity on Outcomes ............................................. 1-8 Methods Used for the Literature Review ............................................................ 1-8 The Search Phase................................................................................... 1-8 Supplemental Search and Exclusions........................................................1-10 The Sifting Phase ..................................................................................1-10 The Review Phase .................................................................................1-11 Organization of this Report ............................................................................1-12 Introduction References.................................................................................1-13 2. MARRIAGE AND RELATIONSHIPS 2-1 Overview...................................................................................................... 2-1 Potential Pathways Affecting Family Relationships .............................................. 2-1 Data, Methods, and Measures.......................................................................... 2-1 Findings for the General Population .................................................................. 2-2 Meta-analysis ........................................................................................ 2-2 iii Effect of Religion and Religiosity on Marriage Outcomes ............................... 2-2 Studies Specific to the Low-Income Population................................................... 2-2 Longitudinal Data Sources ....................................................................... 2-3 Single Item Measurement........................................................................ 2-3 Research Questions Guiding Empirical Studies ............................................ 2-4 Findings Specific to the Low-Income Population ................................................. 2-4 Research Gaps .............................................................................................. 2-8 New Research ............................................................................................... 2-9 Marriage References .....................................................................................2-11 Low-Income Marriage References....................................................................2-11 3. PARENTING 3-1 Overview...................................................................................................... 3-1 Data, Methods, and Measures.......................................................................... 3-1 Summary of Research Findings for the General Population................................... 3-2 Summary of Research Studies Specific to the Low-Income Population ................... 3-3 Findings Specific to the Low-Income Population ................................................. 3-4 Findings about Religiosity and Parenting Outcomes ..................................... 3-4 Parental Resources................................................................................. 3-6 Religious Beliefs and Parenting Practices.................................................... 3-8 Research Gaps .............................................................................................. 3-9 Lessons from Fragile Families..................................................................3-10 New Research ..............................................................................................3-12 Parenting References ....................................................................................3-13 Low-Income Parenting References ..................................................................3-14 4. YOUTH OUTCOMES 4-1 Overview...................................................................................................... 4-1 Potential Pathways Affecting Youth Outcomes .................................................... 4-1 Data, Methods, and Measures.......................................................................... 4-1 Religiosity Measures Used in Youth-Focused Research ................................. 4-2 National Study of Youth and Religion......................................................... 4-2 Methodological and Measurement Innovations ............................................ 4-2 Findings for the General Population .................................................................. 4-2 National Study of Youth and Religion Findings ............................................ 4-3 Early Childhood Findings ......................................................................... 4-4 iv Studies Specific to Low-Income Populations....................................................... 4-4 Religiosity Measurement.......................................................................... 4-4 Exploring Direct and Moderating Effects..................................................... 4-5 Findings Specific to the Low-Income Population ................................................. 4-5 Research Gaps .............................................................................................4-12 New Research ..............................................................................................4-13 Youth References..........................................................................................4-15 Low-Income Youth References........................................................................4-15 5. RELIGIOSITY AND MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OUTCOMES 5-1 Overview...................................................................................................... 5-1 Potential Pathways Affecting Health.................................................................. 5-1 Individual Beliefs and Practices ...............................................................