An epidemiologic investigation of the relationship between religiosity, selected health behaviors, and blood pressure

The purpose of this investigation was to examine both the direct and indirect relationships between various dimensions of religiosity (the quality of being religious) and blood pressure (BP). One hundred twelve UNC Greensboro and Salem College female alumni, living in Guilford and Forsyth Counties, who were 35 years or older and of Judea-Christian faith, participated in the study. Following a 10-minute quiet rest period, three BP readings were taken with a validated Colins automated BP monitor at 5-minute intervals and the last two readings were averaged together. Height and weight were measured to determine body mass index. To measure religiosity, a 33-question multidimensional religiosity schedule (Koenig, Smiley & Gonzales, 1988), was utilized. A total religiosity score, as well as scores on nine dimensions (intrinsic religiosity, extrinsic religiosity, belief factor, religious well-being, organized religious activity, nonorganized religious activity, religious knowledge, religious experience, and religious coping) were determined. Leisure time physical activity, smoking, an interactive dietary variable (K:Na X Ca), alcohol consumption and control variables (age, socioeconomic status) were abstracted from questionnaires