Members of Strict Religions Are More Likely to Say They’re in Excellent Health

According to a new study, people who belong to religious groups with strict social, moral, and physical rules are more likely to say they're in good health than people affiliated with less strict religious groups are. Among members of strict religious groups, 40 percent report they are in excellent health, while only 25 percent of those who left these groups to switch to another religion say the same, and only 20 percent of those who left a strict religious group and now are nonreligious say their health is excellent.

Why would this be? One theory is that the rules of these groups—which, among other things, usually require members to not drink or smoke—promote better health. It's also possible that the social bonds and support that come with belonging to these groups lead to psychological benefits, and these, in turn, lead to health benefits, says Christopher Scheitle, a doctoral student in sociology who worked on the study. In contrast, leaving a religious group can be stressful, he says, which can affect people's health in negative ways.

Or the reverse: It's also possible that poor health could make people leave their strict religious groups. For one thing, it might be that being actively involved in religious meetings, services, and events is too hard for someone who is sick, or that those in poor health begin to question their faith.