1. An Exploration of Linking Relationship’s in Women’s
Faith and Secular Groups in South Carolina
Maggi C. Miller MS, PhD(c), Holly C. Pope MSPH, PhD,
Carol B. Cornman RN, PA, Robert E. McKeown PhD
University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health
Background
Methods
Results cont.
In the last decade significant attention in public health has focused on community relationships, including types of social networks and their association with health.
Linking networks are defined as networks between people or organizations that stretch beyond peer boundaries and enable individuals to exert influence and provide resources to others who are different from them.
Linking networks often exist in volunteer groups that help others in the community. Older adult women commonly give back to the community through volunteering, developing linking relationships, which can provide rewarding experiences and lead to positive health outcomes (Warburton et al., 2006; Oman et al., 1999).
Volunteering may be particularly beneficial to older adult women, as they are at an increased risk for poorer mental health compared to their male counterparts (Blazer, 2003; Husaini et al., 2003; Mehta et al., 2003).
Research has shown an association between volunteering in later life and fewer somatic and mood symptoms, diminished depressive symptoms, reduced anxiety and improved ability to deal with psychological distress (Rietschlin, 1998; Fonda and Herzog 2001; Blazer, 2003; Husaini et al., 2003; Mehta et al., 2003; Lum & Lightfoot 2005; Thoits & Hewitt 2001).
Further, there is evidence that networks within faith communities and church-based groups encourage altruistic behaviors and empathy for others (Smith, 2003) which may provide additional protective health benefits both for those who reach out and for those being helped.
Interview Quotes
In-depth interviews were administered to 35 females across the state of
South Carolina ages 50 and over (mean age = ).
Participants were stratified as attendees of religious services (n=20) or
infrequent/non-attendees of religious services (n=15).
Questions explored interviewees’ group participation and their linking
networks.
Thematic analysis was performed using QSR-NVivo software
Caucasian Infrequent or Non-attendee of Religious Services
“Oh yes. Like at Christmas time, there’s a choral group also connected to the theatre, and at Christmas time they go around to the retirement homes and sing, some put on little skits, you know [to entertain] the retired.”
African American Regular Attendee of Religious Services
“Well we go out on Sundays, that 3rd Sunday, we go out into the community, and talk to the sick who are shut in and can’t get out and go to church or nothing, can’t go to church and get outside. We go there once a month…into the community.”
Caucasian Regular Attendee of Religious Services “Our church has the soup cellar that’s available for people who have been ---- It’s predominately homeless but you don’t have to be homeless. The idea is if you present yourself at the door for lunch, you get lunch.”
Results
Interview responses for infrequent or non-attendees of religious services
Interview responses for regular attendees
of religious services
Discussion
Groups Identified that Link
AA (n=5)
Caucasian (n=10)
No themes were identified
Non-Profit (2)
Theatre Group (1)
Groups Identified that Link
AA (n=10)
Caucasian (n=10)
Church groups (10)
Sorority (4)
Meals on Wheels (2)
This study is one of the few that examines linking
networks in the context of religious institutions.
The results of the qualitative analysis suggest that
women who are active in faith communities are more
likely to be involved in linking activities, looking
beyond themselves and their inner circle, and reaching
out to others who are different from them.
The results also support that religious institutions can
be a valuable source of volunteer opportunities that
promote linking relationships.
These opportunities can address a variety of needs and
positively impact the mental health and well-being of
older adult women, as well as facilitate linking
relationships that lead to mobilization of resources for
those in need.
Social Support Provided AA
Caucasian
No themes were identified
Tangible (3)
Social Support Provided AA
Caucasian
Tangible (7)
Tangible (6)
Positive Social Interaction (3)
Informational (2)
Spiritual (3)
Spiritual (2)
Linking Outreach AA
Caucasian
No themes were identified
Build group homes for disabled children
Holiday entertainment at nursing homes
Support for families of children with autism
Linking Outreach AA
Caucasian
Adopt families from Hurricane Katrina
Assistance to individuals with AIDS
Christmas toys for housing project
Bring meals and donations to homeless
Clothing drive for low income families
Donate items to women in crisis
Donate blood on a regular basis
Education for low income children
Donate school supplies for low income kids
Make donations to organizations
Give worship services at nursing home
Repair homes for low income families
Holiday meals for those in need
Spiritual support for shut ins
Improve housing conditions
Support area farmers
Support for community members in crisis
Provide items for nursing home
Tutoring for low income children
Scholarships for low income students
Visit with shut ins on a regular basis
Support food bank
Visit sick and shut ins
Objectives
This study explores the benefits of linking relationships among older adult females in South Carolina who are:
1) Regular attendees of religious services
2) Infrequent or non-attendees of religious services
***References can be provided upon request.