PubHawk
PLoS One September 2017 PMID 28520779

Church attendance, allostatic load and mortality in middle aged adults.

Marino A Bruce, David Martins, Kenrik Duru, Bettina M Beech, Mario Sims, Nina Harawa, Roberto Vargas, Dulcie Kermah, Susanne B Nicholas, Arleen Brown, Keith C Norris

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Mentions

59
Peak: 3 in Jan 2019
across 6 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

120,886
potential audience

Total likes

779

Video views

18,414

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News33 articles
  • Reddit9 posts
  • X / Twitter8 posts
  • Blogs5 articles
  • Facebook3 posts
  • YouTube1 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Posts reflect a balanced mix of support and skepticism, with some emphasizing the health benefits of faith-based activities and others critiquing the scientific methods, using phrases like 'scientific consensus' and 'control for factors,' which showcase deep engagement and concern about validity and implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the study's findings, emphasizing the health benefits of church attendance, although some challenge the interpretation or scientific basis.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate interest, with posts referencing specific studies and statistical data, but some dismiss or question the relevance of the findings.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts demonstrate active engagement by debating methodological issues and implications, indicating thoughtful responses rather than superficial reactions.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations highlight the potential influence of the study on beliefs about faith and health, suggesting it may sway opinions or reinforce existing views.

Abstract in brief

  • The study found that middle-aged adults who attended church at least once a year had lower allostatic load (a measure of stress) and a reduced risk of death compared to those who did not attend church.
  • Higher church attendance was associated with lower levels of stress-related biological markers, and frequent churchgoers (more than once a week) experienced about a 55% decrease in overall mortality risk.
  • The results suggest that religiosity, particularly church attendance, may contribute to better health outcomes and lower stress levels, which could help explain why religious practices are linked to positive health effects.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Dr. Devon PhD
@TenBillionIQ · X

Your sources are 2 screenshots, not a scientific analysis. That's not how science works. It's also a scientific consensus that religious people do live longer a) https://t.co/2iVfvwKY2y b) https://t.co/0QyXLN43HA c) https://t.co/XTF25fZAIe Wanna debate me on this in the DMs? https://t.co/FGVvCKDEFq https://t.co/IM8LW0zaqq

Apr 5, 2021 · 33 likes · 1 share · 4,122 followers View post →
Dr Sam Pappas
@DrSamPappas · X

H/T @bengreenfield Significant association with church attendance & mortality among middle-aged adults. AL, measure of stress, only partially explained differences in mortality,suggests potential independ effect of church attendance ⁦@bishop_dobbs⁩ https://t.co/TkWehOVPWm

Jan 13, 2019 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 2,101 followers View post →
Ben Greenfield
@bengreenfield · X

RT @DrSamPappas: H/T @bengreenfield Significant association with church attendance & mortality among middle-aged adults. AL, measure of str…

Jan 13, 2019 · 2 shares · 95,552 followers View post →
JB Beyonder
@Chortling_Man · X

@Frenchg11623069 @pray2pesci @SecularSandwich @QuantyMcQuantum @Cassini45511893 @AwayFromTheKeys @zypisfy @AnthonyT2_Mufc @TertiusIV @Gungglefont @jools6691 @willsworldview @imkimaaron @EinmanaUlfurs @ACoventryScone @MuddyWatersRecs @RossGilroy @Cleisthenes5 @Peterrevo16 @Dar42 @Rani84279141 @AndrewRChapman @NarratingFools @Wolfpak561 @IMudlet @DenyThemYourEss @akaXochi @Michael01599823 @JohnKrahn2 @LeeTWimberly @Cern_lXXl @RobertBrownieJ8 @SimpleS18790446 @globalist13903 @TheCATheist @BrianSlimdog77 @BillGrahamtoo @Guy_JustaGuy2 @Simple_Shaman @tcunderdahl @JerryHelton14 @zapher134 @bearschoice2020 @NikhilM86906183 @smug2bme @RunningHippo @Theocrazy2 @markthorsby1 @Charlesthornt @Enby896 Having a master's degree in psychology does not mean you're finished with learning about the benefits of faith. Many studies have revealed, going to Church is good for your health. Please take the time

Aug 25, 2021 · 365 followers View post →
David Pecchia
@dpecchia · X

@MillwardHugh This study controls for lots of other factors, like poverty and age and comes to the opposite conclusion: https://t.co/rxYDeOQRXZ https://t.co/Y3QMtj74n5

Oct 7, 2022 · 193 followers View post →
esmipastor23
@esmipastor23 · X

Audio disponible en varios idiomas. https://t.co/V2Qm3C1VY8

Sep 9, 2025 · 73 followers View post →

All mentions

esmipastor23
@esmipastor23 · X

Audio disponible en varios idiomas. https://t.co/V2Qm3C1VY8

Sep 9, 2025 · 73 followers View post →
David Pecchia
@dpecchia · X

@MillwardHugh This study controls for lots of other factors, like poverty and age and comes to the opposite conclusion: https://t.co/rxYDeOQRXZ https://t.co/Y3QMtj74n5

Oct 7, 2022 · 193 followers View post →
JB Beyonder
@Chortling_Man · X

@Frenchg11623069 @pray2pesci @SecularSandwich @QuantyMcQuantum @Cassini45511893 @AwayFromTheKeys @zypisfy @AnthonyT2_Mufc @TertiusIV @Gungglefont @jools6691 @willsworldview @imkimaaron @EinmanaUlfurs @ACoventryScone @MuddyWatersRecs @RossGilroy @Cleisthenes5 @Peterrevo16 @Dar42 @Rani84279141 @AndrewRChapman @NarratingFools @Wolfpak561 @IMudlet @DenyThemYourEss @akaXochi @Michael01599823 @JohnKrahn2 @LeeTWimberly @Cern_lXXl @RobertBrownieJ8 @SimpleS18790446 @globalist13903 @TheCATheist @BrianSlimdog77 @BillGrahamtoo @Guy_JustaGuy2 @Simple_Shaman @tcunderdahl @JerryHelton14 @zapher134 @bearschoice2020 @NikhilM86906183 @smug2bme @RunningHippo @Theocrazy2 @markthorsby1 @Charlesthornt @Enby896 Having a master's degree in psychology does not mean you're finished with learning about the benefits of faith. Many studies have revealed, going to Church is good for your health. Please take the time

Aug 25, 2021 · 365 followers View post →
..
@shershaki · X

RT @TenBillionIQ: Your sources are 2 screenshots, not a scientific analysis. That's not how science works. It's also a scientific consensu…

Apr 5, 2021 · 1 share · 21 followers View post →
Dr. Devon PhD
@TenBillionIQ · X

Your sources are 2 screenshots, not a scientific analysis. That's not how science works. It's also a scientific consensus that religious people do live longer a) https://t.co/2iVfvwKY2y b) https://t.co/0QyXLN43HA c) https://t.co/XTF25fZAIe Wanna debate me on this in the DMs? https://t.co/FGVvCKDEFq https://t.co/IM8LW0zaqq

Apr 5, 2021 · 33 likes · 1 share · 4,122 followers View post →
Don Walters
@DocDWalt · X

RT @DrSamPappas: H/T @bengreenfield Significant association with church attendance & mortality among middle-aged adults. AL, measure of str…

Jan 13, 2019 · 2 shares · 29 followers View post →
Ben Greenfield
@bengreenfield · X

RT @DrSamPappas: H/T @bengreenfield Significant association with church attendance & mortality among middle-aged adults. AL, measure of str…

Jan 13, 2019 · 2 shares · 95,552 followers View post →
Dr Sam Pappas
@DrSamPappas · X

H/T @bengreenfield Significant association with church attendance & mortality among middle-aged adults. AL, measure of stress, only partially explained differences in mortality,suggests potential independ effect of church attendance ⁦@bishop_dobbs⁩ https://t.co/TkWehOVPWm

Jan 13, 2019 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 2,101 followers View post →