OBJECTIVE HOPE Assessing the Effectiveness of Faith-Based Organizations: A Review of the Literature

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Religion and Delinquency A Systematic Review of
the Literature
Byron R. Johnson Professor of Sociology Director,
Institute for Studies of Religion Director,
Program on Prosocial Behavior Baylor
University Waco, Texas
Faith and Works A Call for Evidence of
Action San Antonio, Texas October 27-28, 2008
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Studying the Role of Religion

• Ecological Religion
• Organic Religion
• Intentional Religion

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Research Assessment

• Summarizing research in the area of organic
  religion

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Religion Health Outcomes

• Hypertension
• Mortality
• Depression
• Suicide
• Promiscuous sexual behavior
• Drug alcohol use
• Crime Delinquency

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Figure 1. Research Examining the Relationship
between Religion and Health Outcomes (2002)
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Figure 2. Research Examining the Relationship
between Religion Health Outcomes (2002-2008)
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Religion Prosocial Outcomes

• Well-Being
• Hope/Purpose/Meaning in Life
• Self-Esteem
• Educational Attainment

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Figure 3. Research Examining the Relationship
between Religion Prosocial Outcomes (2002)
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Figure 4. Research Examining the Relationship
between Religion Prosocial Outcomes (2002-08)
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Meta-Analysis of Research on the Impact of
Religion on Delinquency
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Studying Organic ReligionReview Summary

• This review provides overwhelming evidence that
  higher levels of religious involvement and
  practices make for an important protective factor
  that buffers or insulates individuals from
  deleterious outcomes.

• This review of studies on organic religion
  documents that religious commitment or practices
  make for an important factor promoting an array
  of pro-social behaviors and thus enhancing
  various beneficial outcomes.

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• www.ISReligion.org