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Church-Based Social Support Among Caribbean Blacks in the United States

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Review of Religious Research

Abstract

An emerging body of research notes the importance of church-based social support networks in the daily lives of Americans. However, few studies examine church-based support, and especially among ethnic subgroups within the U.S. Black population, such as Caribbean Blacks. This study uses data from the National Survey of American Life to examine demographic and religious participation (e.g., attendance, interaction) correlates of church-based social support (e.g., receipt of emotional support, receipt of general support, provision of support to others, and negative interaction) among Caribbean Blacks residing in the U.S. Multiple regression analyses indicated that religious participation was associated with all four dependent variables. Church attendance was positively associated with receiving emotional support, general social support, and providing support to others, but was not associated with negative interaction. Frequency of interaction with fellow congregants was positively associated with receiving emotional support, receiving general support, providing support to others and negative interaction. Demographic findings indicated that women provided more support to church members and experienced more negative interactions with members than did men. Education was positively associated with frequency of support; household income was negatively associated with receiving emotional support and providing social support to others. Findings are discussed in relation to the role of church-based support networks in the lives of Caribbean Black immigrants and communities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 1150 South Olive Street, Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA, 90015, USA

    Ann W. Nguyen

  2. School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Robert Joseph Taylor & Linda M. Chatters

  3. School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Linda M. Chatters

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  1. Ann W. Nguyen
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  2. Robert Joseph Taylor
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  3. Linda M. Chatters
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Correspondence to Ann W. Nguyen.

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Nguyen, A.W., Taylor, R.J. & Chatters, L.M. Church-Based Social Support Among Caribbean Blacks in the United States. Rev Relig Res 58, 385–406 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13644-016-0253-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13644-016-0253-6

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