Religious Involvement, Humility, and Change in Self-Rated Health over Time

Theologians have been discussing humility for centuries, but empirical research on humility is in its infancy. The present study has two goals. The first is to see if change in humility is associated with change in self-rated health over time. The second is to explore religious factors that are associated with humility. Spiritual support that study participants receive from fellow church members, as well as the nature of a study participant's relationship with God, figure prominently in this respect. The two study aims are accomplished by estimating a conceptual model that contains the following core relationships: (1) older people who go to church more often are more likely to receive spiritual support from fellow church members; (2) more spiritual support is associated with having a closer relationship with God; (3) older adults who have a closer relationship with God will feel more humble; and (4) older adults who are more humble will rate their health more favorably over time. Data from a nationwide survey of older adults provides support for each of these linkages. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships between religion, humility, and change in health among older adults. Although humility has been defined in a number of ways, the definition developed over two centuries ago by Jonathan Edwards provides a useful point of departure for this study. For Edwards, humility meant emulating Christ, "Christ ... was the most humble of all creatures. No angels nor men ever equaled him in humility. ..." (as quoted in Cochran, 2007, p. 77). Following this, Edwards went on to argue that, "Pure Christian humility disposes a person to take notice of everything that is in any respect good in others, and to make the best of it, and to diminish their failings; but to have his eyes chiefly on those things that are bad in himself, and to take much notice of everything that aggravates him" (as quoted in Cochran, 2007, p. 80). This definition is helpful because it explicitly grounds humility within an interpersonal context: it arises when a person comes into contact with other people and involves the way the individual views themselves and the other. As the analyses from this study will show, viewing humility within a relational setting provides fresh insight into the way it may arise in late life. The construct of humility is important because theologians have been arguing for over a thousand years that this core character strength lies at the very heart of religion. For example, one of the earliest Christian documents was written in 96 C.E. Although the author did not sign this work, many think it was written by Clement, the third bishop of Rome (Richardson, 1996). This is why it is often referred to as "Clement's First Letter: Clement writes in this letter that, "It is to the humble that Christ belongs, not to those who exalt themselves over his flock" (Richardson, 1966, p.50). The Philokalia is a collection of four volumes that were written between the 4th and 15th centuries. With the exception of the Bible, these volumes are thought to be the most influential work in the Eastern Orthodox faith tradition. St. Maximos the Confessor was one of the most influential authors in this series. Writing between 630 and 645 C. E., he wrote, "It is humility which tames every demonic power, produces in those who accept it every kind of sanctity, and keep that sanctity inviolate" (Palmer, Sherrard, & Ware, 1981, p. 117). St. Augustine is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the development of western Christianity. In his letter to Dioscorus, Augustine made an unequivocal statement about how to reach God and the truth: In that way, the first part is humility; the second humility; and the third, humility: and this I would continue to repeat as often as you might ask direction ..." (as quoted in Sparrow-Simpson, 1919, pp. 53-54). Given the emphasis that has been placed on humility in Christian theology', it is surprising to find there are few studies in the literature that empirically evaluate the correlates and consequences of this fundamental virtue. …