Church attendance, religiosity, and health.

Many studies have reported a beneficial effect of church attendance on one's health. Little attempt has been made, however, to ascertain what aspect of the behavior might be responsible for the effect, so church attendance, religiosity, and health were examined in a sample of 174 graduate students (ages 19 to 69 years). Neither attendance nor religiosity was significantly associated in this sample with the frequency or seriousness of illness experienced over the previous 12-mo. period. These findings are discussed in relation to sample characteristics.