The Association Between Individualised Religiosity and Health Behaviour in Denmark: Are Social Networks a Mediating Factor?

J Relig Health. 2022 Dec;61(6):4738-4757. doi: 10.1007/s10943-022-01650-1. Epub 2022 Sep 9.

Abstract

The present study investigates whether social networks mediate the well-established positive association between religiosity and health behaviour. Most research has focused on traditional public religiosity (e.g. regular church attendance). This study, however, focuses on the Danish population in which non-traditional and private religiosity is common. We utilise data from the Danish population-based project, Early Detection and Prevention. Our results suggest that religiosity is linked to health behaviour; however, this association is not mediated by social network.

Keywords: Denmark; Diet; Mediation; Physical activity; Religiosity; Social network.

MeSH terms

  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Mediation Analysis*
  • Religion*
  • Social Networking