The effect of religious involvement on cognition in middle- to old-age adults: a cross-sectional analysis of the CLSA

We will use information collected from 50,000 middle-to old-age adults who live across Canada to study the association between religious involvement (RI) and cognition. We want to see if people who participate frequently in religious activities have better cognition (including memory) than people who participate less in religious activities.

We looked at the link between religious participation and two types of cognitive function – executive function and memory – in a nationwide sample of persons aged between 45 and 85 years in Canada. Religious participation included activities such as attending services, serving on committees, or worship team membership (choir, band). Results showed that daily-to-weekly participation in religious activities was associated with better executive function compared to never participating in religious activities. Conversely, religious participation was not associated with memory. Religious participation could help preserve executive function by providing: (1) outlets for stress; (2) opportunities to form supportive social relationships; and (3) opportunities to stimulate cognitive ability through scriptural study or volunteer work.