The Influence of Religion on Health and Ageing in Taiwan

Most of these studies show a relation between greater religious involvement and better mental health, better physical health, or lower use of health services. This interreligious comparison deals with Taoist, Buddhist, Popular religion and Christian Taiwanese elderly.

Based on the data gathered from in-depth and focus groups interview, and questionnaire, this research explores how religion play a role in mental health and social well-being. The final aims of the project are: 1. to develop a religious scale based on Taiwanese religions and religious experience, 2. to test the relation between religion and mental healthl and social well-being of elderly in Taiwan, 3. to identify the religious factors and mechanism for religious effects on mental health and social well-being.