REGULAR RELIGIOUS ATTENDANCE MAY IMPROVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE

A new study shows that for women over the age of 50, attending religious services regularly can mean a more optimistic, less depressed, and less cynical outlook on life.

The study is derived from data obtained by the Women's Health Initiative observational study - a survey of 92,539 post-menopausal women over 50. The participants made up an ethnically, religiously and socioeconomically diverse group.

According to the new study, those who attend services frequently were 56 percent more likely to have an optimistic life outlook than those who don't and were 27 percent less likely to be depressed.

Those who attended weekly were less likely to be characterized by cynical hostility, compared with those who did not report any religious service attendance.

Researchers studied the emotional and information support women receive from interacting with religious colleagues and officials.

Areas evaluated included assessment of social support provided when an individual visits with a priest or a rabbi to speak about difficulties. Tangible support, received when, for example someone from the congregation drives a participant to a doctor; affectionate support; and positive interaction.