How Church-Based Social Support Influences Health Among Older African American Adults: A Narrative Review and a Way Forward

A growing body of interdisciplinary studies on religious involvement largely acknowledges religion as an important psychosocial and protective factor for the health of many older African Americans. However, the mechanisms and pathways by which church-based social support, a distinct dimension of religiosity, influences health are less understood. This narrative review (1) synthesizes the extant literature examining associations between church-based social support and health outcomes among older African American adults and (2) reviews three theoretical frameworks (i.e. the convoy model of social relations, the family solidarity model, and the theory of religious coping) that can guide future research in this area. The reviewed findings provide evidence for the salubrious effects of church-based social support on a greater number of mental health outcomes than physical health outcomes. The impact of church-based social support varies as a function of differing conceptual measurements and assessed health outcomes. We conclude by underscoring the need for continued research that addresses existing conceptual gaps and advances theoretical understanding of mechanistic pathways linking church-based social support to health.