Christian internalization of a healthy lifestyle: A theoretical analysis

This study explored Christians’ view that living a healthy lifestyle by eating right and exercising was essential to what being a Christian meant to them, theoretically representing internalization of these health behaviors into one’s religious values and identity. Using a secondary data analysis of...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Faries, Mark D (Author) ; Green, Stephen D (Author) ; Green, Autumn (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: SAGE Publishing 2023
In: Archive for the psychology of religion
Year: 2023, Volume: 45, Issue: 2, Pages: 174-190
Further subjects:B Theology
B Health
B Religion
B integration of psychology and theology
B Self-regulation
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:This study explored Christians’ view that living a healthy lifestyle by eating right and exercising was essential to what being a Christian meant to them, theoretically representing internalization of these health behaviors into one’s religious values and identity. Using a secondary data analysis of Pew Research Center survey data, we found that a minority of Christians (16%) internalized a healthy lifestyle; who also tended to be more religious, as expressed by believing in God, reading scripture, praying, and volunteering at church. The results provide preliminary support for the theorized disconnect in religious internalization of certain health behaviors, but not others. However, further exploratory analysis suggests that individuals who are a part of denominations that more recognizably express the importance of a healthy lifestyle as a part of their religious beliefs, and internalize this belief, might subsequently participate in and self-report healthier behavior.
ISSN:1573-6121
Contains:Enthalten in: Archive for the psychology of religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1177/00846724221150028