"This is an outstanding book that provides the reader with an in-depth understanding of religion in the lives of African Americans. Both historical and empirical research findings provide a context for understanding religion in the lives of African Americans. Most importantly, this book highlights the role religion plays in affecting emotional and physical health processes and outcomes among African Americans. The contributions of this book to the discussion of religion in the social and behavioral sciences will last for years!"

                 --Peggye Dilworth-Anderson, Ph.D.University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

"This is a blockbuster of a book on black religion. Comprehensive, systematic, analytic, and very well written, it sets a new high water mark in the social scientific study of religion and life in the African American Community. It will be especially helpful in the teaching of undergraduate and graduate courses in African American history and culture."

                                                            --Andrew BillingsleyUniversity of South Carolina

The religious faith of African Americans has many avenues of expression. Consequently, there has been a long-standing interest in the nature, patterns, and functions of religion in the lives of this particular ethnic group. African American religious life, in all its forms, is a vibrant, creative, resourceful testament to the power of faith to uplift and sustain in the face of prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion.

Religion in the Lives of African Americans: Social, Psychological, and Health Perspectives examines many broad issues including the structure and sociodemographic patterns of religious involvement; the relationship between religion and physical and mental health and well-being; the impact of church support and the use of ministers for personal issues; and the role of religion within specific subgroups of the African American population such as women and the elderly. Authors Robert Joseph Taylor, Linda M. Chatters, and Jeff Levin reflect upon current empirical research and derive conclusions from several wide-ranging national surveys, as well as a focus group study of religion and coping.

Features and Benefits:

• Empirical. Incorporates findings from a total of eight national surveys that contain representative cross-section samples of the adult Black population living in the continental U.S. Additionally, a focus group study conducted by the Program for Research on Black Americans at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, provides a rich source of qualitative information about the nature and functions of religion.
• Interdisciplinary. Although the primary points of view are sociological and psychological, the perspectives represented by the authors transcend disciplinary bounds.
• Pedagogical. Includes important data sources, tables, recommendations for further reading and resources, end of chapter summaries, and implications for future research that enhance student comprehension.

Recommended for students taking courses in racial and ethnic studies, multicultural and minority studies, black studies, religious studies, psychology, sociology, human development and family studies, gerontology, social work, public health, and nursing.

Foreword - James S. Jackson
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction
Goals for the Book
Data Sources
Format and Scope of the Volume
Part I: Patterns of Religion
2. African American Religious Participation
Overview of Chapter
The Interface Between Religiosity and Spirituality
Models of Religious Involvement in Black Churches
Socio-Historical Role of the Church
Religious Denomination
Denominational Switching
Generational Differences in Religious Denomination
Conceptualization and Measurement of Religious Involvement
Structural Determinants of Religious Involvement
Profile of Religious Participation
Black-White Differences
Gender Differences
Age Differences
Marital Status Differences
Education and Income Differences
Regional and Urban-Rural Differences
Denominational Differences in Religious Participation
Physical Health Differences
Religious Participation Among Elderly Blacks
Religious Participation Among Blacks Adolescents
Religious Noninvolvement
Religious Artifacts
Religious Identity
Focus Group Findings
Prayer
Reading Religious Materials
Religious Programming
Meditation
Religious Participation in the Context of Work
Living in a Christ-Like Manner
Volunteerism as a Form of Religious Participation
Organized Religious Activities
Focus Group Summary
Chapter Summary and Conclusion
3. The Frequency and Importance of Prayer
Research on Prayer
Research on Prayer Among Black Americans
Requests for Prayer
Focus Group Findings
Communication and Relationship With God
God as Best Friend
Meditation and Prayer
Prayers of Thanksgiving
Prayers of Petition
Prayer as Intercession
Writing Down One′s Prayers
The Importance of Prayer
The Power of Prayer
Focus Group Summary
Chapter Summary and Conclusion
Part II: Functions of Religion
4. Prayer as a Source of Coping
Coping With Personal Problems
Prayer and Coping With Life Problems
Religious Coping and Caregiving
Religious Coping and Health and Illness
Harmful Effects of Religious Coping
Prayer and Coping Among Black Americans
Focus Group Findings
Prayer Is an Ongoing Coping Activity
Interpersonal Conflicts on the Job
Prayer Gives Strength, Wisdom, and Guidance
Prayer Reduces Stress
Spiritual Component of Prayer
Loving Your Enemies/Forgiveness
Power of Prayer
Focus Group Summary
Chapter Summary and Conclusion
5. Use of Ministers for Personal Problems
Clergy and Formal Support Systems
Clergy as a Coping Resource
Survey Data on the Use of Ministers
Focus Group Findings
Patterns and Circumstances of Using Ministers
Deciding to Forgo Clergy Help
Choosing to Disclose Difficult Problems
Focus Group Summary
Chapter Summary and Conclusion
6. Church Members as a Source of Social Support
Church-Based Informal Social Support
Family and Church Support
Profile of the Receipt of Support From Church Members
Focus Group Findings
Church Members Provide Instrumental and Emotional Support
Importance of Building Relationships With Church Members
Importance of Having Church Members Provide Support
Similarity Between Church Members and Family Members
Formal Programs in the Church
Reciprocal Relationships
Giving Help to Church Members
Difficulty in Giving and Receiving Help
Focus Group Summary
Chapter Summary and Conclusion
7. Negative Interaction Among Church Members
Research on Negative Interaction
Negative Interaction Among African Americans
Negative Interaction Among Church Members
Survey Findings on Negative Interaction Among Church Members
Focus Group Findings
Church Members, Like Family Members, Have Conflict
Gossip
Avoiding Gossip
Generational Differences
Conflict Over Special Programs and Board Meetings
Losing Church Members Because of Conflict
Avoiding Conflict
Feeling Unwelcome
Helping People Feel Welcome
Other Concerns
Problems in Church Do Not Inhibit Attendance and Participation
Focus Group Summary
Chapter Summary and Conclusion
Part III: Effects of Religion
8. Impact of Religion on Physical Health
Research on Religion and Health
Religion and Health in African Americans
Religion and Morbidity in Study Samples of Whites and Blacks
Religion and Morbidity in African American Study Samples
Religion and Mortality in African Americans
Religion, Race, and Health: Theoretical Considerations
9. Impact of Religion on Mental Health and Well-Being
Religion and Mental Health: Clinical and Population-Based Research
Religion, Aging, and Psychological Well-Being
Religion, Mental Health, and Well-Being in African Americans
Studies in Which Effects of Race Are Controlled
Religion and Mental-Health Outcomes
Religion and Psychological Well-Being
Studies That Investigate Racial Differences
African American Study Samples
Religion and Depressive Symptoms
Religion and Positive Well-Being
Religion, Race, and Mental Health: Directions for Future Research
10. Conclusions and Implications
Chapter Review and Implications
Current Research Projects
Appendix A: Data Sources
Appendix B: Multivariate Tables
Recommended Reading and Resource Guide
References
Author Index
Subject Index
About the Authors