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In the Shadow of the Casinos: The Relationship between Religion and Health in Macau

Author

Listed:
  • Yiyi Chen

    (Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China)

  • Jiaqi Lu

    (Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China)

  • Canghai Guan

    (Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China)

  • Shiyang Zhang

    (Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China
    School of Future Design, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519085, China)

  • Spencer De Li

    (Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China)

Abstract

Considerable research has shown that religion operates as a protective factor for one’s health. However, there is still a lack of understanding of the mechanisms by which religion is linked to individual health and wellbeing, especially in predominantly secular societies. This study tried to address this gap by developing a theoretical model to examine how religiosity is related to life satisfaction and health perception in a non-Western culture. Macau, a Portuguese colony until 1999, remains a diversified culture because of its intermixed historical background from the East and the West. Through structural equation modeling, the analysis of data collected from a representative sample of Macau residents, using a multistage stratified sampling procedure, indicated a positive link between religiosity and health. Moreover, altruism and prejudice mediated a portion of the relationship between religiosity and health. Additionally, our results demonstrated that Macau residents who were more religious had a higher level of altruism and a lower level of prejudice. The link between religion and prejudice in Macau differs from that of many other cultures, indicating that the effect of religion on prejudice varies by cultural context. In sum, our study showed that even in the shadow of glittering casinos, religion is positively related to health.

Suggested Citation

  • Yiyi Chen & Jiaqi Lu & Canghai Guan & Shiyang Zhang & Spencer De Li, 2022. "In the Shadow of the Casinos: The Relationship between Religion and Health in Macau," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5605-:d:808736
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kenneth Greene & Bong Joon Yoon, 2004. "Religiosity, Economics and Life Satisfaction," Review of Social Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 62(2), pages 245-261.
    2. Xia, Weiwei & Guo, Xiaohan & Luo, Jun & Ye, Hang & Chen, Yefeng & Chen, Shu & Xia, Weisen, 2021. "Religious identity, between-group effects and prosocial behavior: Evidence from a field experiment in China," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    3. Sonny Lo, 2009. "Casino Capitalism and Its Legitimacy Impact on the Politico-administrative State in Macau," Journal of Current Chinese Affairs - China aktuell, Institute of Asian Studies, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, vol. 38(1), pages 19-47.
    4. Peter H. Van Ness & Stanislav V. Kasl, 2003. "Religion and Cognitive Dysfunction in an Elderly Cohort," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 58(1), pages 21-29.
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    6. Lee, Y. & Muennig, P. & Kawachi, I. & Hatzenbuehler, M.L., 2015. "Effects of racial prejudice on the health of communities: A multilevel survival analysis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(11), pages 2349-2355.
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    Cited by:

    1. Spencer De Li & Jiaqi Lu & Yiyi Chen, 2022. "The Relationship between Christian Religiosity and Adolescent Substance Use in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-13, September.

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