Correlates of Religiosity among Filipino Women

Josephine L. Avila, University of San Carlos
Sonny A. Bechayda, University of San Carlos
Judith B. Borja, University of San Carlos

We analyzed 1,818 women aged 43-75 years (mean age: 55 yrs) from 2012 survey round of the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Study (CLHNS) to explore the relationship of three religiosity indicators on various health and sociodemographic characteristics. Three indicators of religiosity were analyzed: 1) church attendance 2) the importance of religious beliefs in one’s own life and 3) the importance of praying in one’s own life. The initial findings point to several similarities and differences in the associations for each of the three religiosity measures studied. Socioeconomic status (education, assets) and physical and mental health variables correlated with all religiosity measures. On the other hand, the church attendance indicators seemed to be negatively affected by physical disability and old age, or by behaviors associated with moral stigma such as cohabitation, smoking and drinking.