Abstract
Although many empirical studies identified the nexus between religion and self-rated health, it is still puzzling in Africa, especially Ethiopia. Thus, the study answered whether the various religious clusters significantly affect the self-rated health of Ethiopians. Using a sample of 2259, we used a two-step cluster analysis to generate a meaningful religious group in Ethiopia from the three indicators of religion. Finally, multiple binary logistic regression models were used to test the hypothesis that these new categories of religion affect self-rated health. We found six groups of people with various religious experiences, and the multiple regression models uncovered that regardless of denomination, religion positively affects subjective health for people in religious groups. The study shows that person-centric assessments of religion and health can nuance results in religious contexts. In this regard, in examining the health effects of religion, the study could alarm future researchers to have theoretical or/and practical grounds for choosing either the variable or person-centered approaches.
Presenters
Kelemu Fenta GebeyehuStudent, PhD, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Fragile Meanings: Vulnerability in the Study of Religions and Spirituality
KEYWORDS
SELF-RATED HEALTH, CLUSTERS OF RELIGION, EFFECT OF RELIGION, CLUSTER ANALYSIS
