Faith after an earthquake: a longitudinal study of religion and perceived health before and after the 2011 Christchurch New Zealand Earthquake

摘要: On 22 February 2011, Christchurch New Zealand (population 367,700) experienced a devastating earthquake, causing extensive damage and killing one hundred eighty-five people. The earthquake aftershocks occurred between the 2009 2011 waves of longitudinal probability sample conducted in Zealand, enabling us to examine how natural disaster this magnitude affected deeply held commitments global ratings personal health, depending on exposure. We first investigated whether earthquake-affected were more likely believe God. Consistent with Religious Comfort Hypothesis, religious faith increased among earthquake-affected, despite an overall decline elsewhere. This result offers population-level demonstration that secular people turn religion at times crisis. then examined affiliation was associated differences subjective health. found no evidence for superior buffering from having faith. Among those by however, loss significant health declines. Those who lost elsewhere country did not experience similar Our findings suggest conversion after is unlikely improve well-being, yet upholding might be important step road recovery.