Past Research
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
U
Uchino, B.N., Cacioppo, J.R., & Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K. (1996). The relationship between social support and physiological processes: A review with emphasis on underlying mechanisms and implications for health. Psychological Bulletin, 119, 488-531. (authors review 81 studies that link social support to physiological processes, demonstrating positive effects on the cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune systems; these effects seem to be derived in particular from stress-buffering effects of family support and inter-personal emotional support)
Uhlman J, Steinke PD (1984). Pastoral visitation to the institutionalized aged: delivering more than a lick and a promise. Pastoral Psychology 32:231-238 (C/S survey of convenience sample of nation-wide sample of 120 elderly nursing home residents, conducted by Lutheran Council USA (Lutheran, proprietary, and nonprofit denominational nursing homes and retirement facilities); 50.0% of patient desired visits from pastors on a near weekly basis, whereas only 12.4% received them; 52.5% desired visits from chaplains on a near weekly basis but only 26.4% received them; the average amount of time spent by pastors with patients was 15 min in 35.1% of cases and 15-30 min in 38.6% of cases; average amount of time spent by chaplains was 15 minutes in 76.3% of cases (not much visitation)
Ullman, C. (1988). Psychological well-being among converts in traditional and nontraditional religious groups. Psychiatry, 51, 312-322. (C/S survey of convenience sample of 40 religious converts -- 2 months to 10 years after conversion -- 10 converts in each group; Jewish & Catholic converts more likely to have a background of seeking outpatient psychiatric help then Bahai and Hare Krishna (32% vs. 5%, p<.025), but Bahai & Hare Krishna more likely to have had psychotic episodes and require psychiatric hospitalization (5% vs. 25%, p<.025), and to have had a chaotic life-style prior to conversion (40% vs. 75%, p=.01); Catholics most likely to report dramatic conversions (80%), while Bahais were least likely (10%); about one-third reported no change in psychological well-being, one-third moderate improvement, and one-third substantial improvement since conversion (no relationship with conversion group)
Unknown author (1902). Cancer among Jews. British Medical Journal, March 15, 681-682. (compared death rates from cancer from 1898-1900 for Jews and non-Jews in London, based on data from Burial Society of the United Synagogue; cancer death rates were less in Jews than non-Jews (2.1-2.4 vs. 4.7-4.9, no statistical comparison or controls) (does not comment on type of cancer)
Umberson, D. (1987). Family status and health behaviors: Social control as a dimension of social integration. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 28, 306-319. (C/S survey of national sample of 1,826 adults; being married and being a parent with a child at home was a significant deterrent of negative health behaviors (marijuana use, drinking problem, drinking while driving, substance abuse, and orderly lifestyle (pertaining to sleeping and eating patterns); concluded dthat social integration and family roles promotes social control of health behaviors which subsequently affect mortality; important mechanism which religious involvement may strengthen social control and thus affect mortality) (regression analyses used)
USA Weekend (1996). The new faith in medicine: Believing in God may be good for your health, according to the latest research. USA Weekend, April 5-7, 1996 (telephone poll of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted by ICR Research Group; 79% of respondents to a USA Today survey reported that spiritual faith can help people recover from illness, injury or disease; 63% said they believed that it is good for doctors to talk to patients about spiritual faith)
USA Weekend (1998). Who is happiest? USA Weekend, July 3-5, 1998 (telephone poll of 1003 adults by Opinion Research Corporation International. "Religious faith is the single most important factor in personal happiness, after health. Nearly half (47%) cite spirituality as most important factor."
Usui WM, Keil TJ, Durig KR (1985). Socioeconomic comparisons and life satisfaction of elderly adults. Journal of Gerontology 40:110-114. (C/S survey of 3-stage probability sample of 704 persons aged 60 or over in Jefferson County, Kentucky (70% RR); life satisfaction (LS) measured by 13-item Neugarten LSI; frequency of church attendance assessed; attendance was significantly related to LS (beta .12, p<.01, after 15 other variables were controlled)
Uyanga J (1979). The characteristics of patients of spiritual healing homes and traditional doctors in southeastern Nigeria. Social Science & Medicine 13A:323-329 (Q) (while health care is improving, many Nigerians still go to native healers; C/S of a convenience sample of 23 spiritual homes, 18 native doctors, and 472 patients were interviewed; healers specialize in specific illnesses which some hospitals fail to cure and patients derive psychological satisfaction from these healers because they provide spiritual and supernatural explanations for illness)
