The effects of church-based emotional support on health: Do they vary by gender?

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships among social support provided by church members, gander, and change in physical health status over time. More specifically, this study was designed to see whether women receive more support from church members than men, whether more support from church members is associated with better self-rated health over time, and whether there are gender differences in the relationship between church-based support and health. The data come from a longitudinal nationwide survey of members of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The findings suggest that women receive more emotional support from church members than men. Moreover, church-based support is associated with better self-rated health over time, but these effects emerge among men only. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed and elaborated.