Does a cancer diagnosis influence religiosity? Integrating a life course perspective

Based on a life course framework we propose that a cancer diagnosis is associated with increased religiosity and that this relationship is contingent upon three social clocks: cohort (1920–1945, 1946–1964, 1964+), age-at-diagnosis, and years-since-diagnosis. Using prospective data from the National Survey of Midlife Development (N = 3443), taken in 1994–1995 and 2004–2006, we test these arguments. Results showed that a cancer diagnosis was associated with increased religiosity. Moreover, we found: (a) no evidence that the influence of cancer varied by cohort; (b) strong evidence that people diagnosed with cancer at earlier ages experienced the largest increases in religiosity; and (c) no evidence that changes in religiosity are influenced by years-since-diagnosis. Our study emphasizes how personal reactions to cancer partly reflect macro-level processes, represented by age-at-diagnosis, and shows that the religion-health connection can operate such that health influences religiosity. The study also highlights the sociological and psychological interplay that shapes people’s religiosity.

► This study tests how a cancer diagnosis is related to private religiosity using prospective national data.
► We test whether this relationship is contingent upon cohort, age-at-diagnosis, and years-since-diagnosis.
► Individuals that experience a cancer diagnosis at younger ages are especially likely to report higher religiosity.