Abstract
This study sought to obtain a better understanding of how clergy view their health and to investigate their self-reported health status. Additionally, this study sought to explore personal and professional barriers among clergy to living a healthier life. An electronic 32-item survey was sent to all practicing clergy in Kansas East and West conferences of United Methodist church by the Kansas Area Office of the United Methodist Church. Survey items included participants’ demographic information and health conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol). The self-reported general health, mental health, and physical health data were also collected to compare to the general population in Kansas. Clergy were also asked to identify perceived barriers to health. A total of 150 clergy participated in the survey. The majority (93.7 %) self-reported their health as good, very good, or excellent. Participating clergy self-reported a higher prevalence of chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol) than the Kansas general population, but those differences were not statistically significant. More than three-fourths (77.4 %) of the participating clergy reported weights and heights that classified them as either overweight or obese. Lack of family time was the most frequently reported personal barrier to achieving a healthier lifestyle. An unpredictable work schedule was reported as the most frequent professional barrier to achieving a healthier lifestyle. This study suggests that Kansas clergy generally view their overall health status favorably despite being overweight or obese. Clergy also self-reported higher prevalence of chronic diseases than the general Kansas population, though the prevalence was not statistically different. This study provides additional insight into clergy health and offers suggestions to address the barriers preventing clergy from working toward better health.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bartel Sheehan, K. (2001). E-mail survey response rates: A review. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 6(2), 94–101.
Celeste, B. L., Walsh, W. B., & Raote, R. G. (1995). Congruence and psychological adjustment for practicing male ministers. Career Development Quarterly, 43(4), 374.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Behavioral risk factor surveillance system 2012 survey data [Data file]. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/annual_data/annual_2012.html
Chandola, T., Bruner, E., & Marmot, M. (2006). Chronic stress at work and the metabolic syndrome: Prospective study. BMJ, 332(7540), 521–525.
Doolittle, B. R. (2007). Burnout and coping among parish-based clergy. Mental health. Religion and Culture, 10(1), 31–38.
Durazo-Arvizu, R. A., McGee, D. L., Cooper, R. S., Liao, Y., & Luke, A. (1998). Mortality and optimal body mass index in a sample of the US population. American Journal of Epidemiology, 147(8), 739–749.
Finkelstein, E. A., Brown, D. S., Brown, D. R., & Buchner, D. M. (2008). A randomized study of financial incentives to increase physical activity among sedentary older adults. Preventive Medicine, 47(2), 182–187.
Flannelly, K. J., Weaver, A. J., Larons, D. B., & Koenig, H. G. (2002). A review of mortality research on clergy and other religious professionals. Journal of Religion and Health, 41(1), 57–67.
Flegal, K. M., Kit, B. K., Orpana, H., & Graubard, B. I. (2013). Association of all-cause mortality with overweight and obesity using standard body mass index categories: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA, 309(1), 71–82.
Gaesser, G. A., Angadi, S. S., & Sawyer, B. J. (2011). Exercise and diet, independent of weight loss, improve cardiometabolic risk profile in overweight and obese individuals. Physics Sportsmed, 39(2), 87–97.
General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church. (2012). 2012 Annual Clergy Health Survey. Retrieved 3/1/2013 from http://www.gbophb.org/userfiles/file/health/CFH/CFH_2012_Clergy_Health_Survey.pdf
General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church Systems Task Force Report. (2011). Retrieved 3/1/2013 from http://www.gbophb.org/TheWell/Root/CFH/4225.pdf
Kuhne, G. W., & Donaldson, J. F. (1995). Balancing ministry and management: An exploratory study of pastoral work activities. Review of Religious Research, 37(2), 147–163.
Lee, C., & Iverson-Gilber, J. (2003). Demand, support and perception in family-related stress among protestant clergy. Family Relations, 52(3), 249–257.
Lindner, E. W. (2009). Yearbook of American & Canadian churches. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
Proeschold-Bell, R. J., & LeGrand, S. (2010). High rates of obesity and chronic disease among United Methodist clergy. Obesity, 18(9), 1867–1870.
Proeschold-Bell, R. J., Legrand, S., & James, J. (2011). A theoretical model of the holistic health of United Methodist clergy. Journal of Religion and Health, 50(3), 700–720.
Royle, Marjorie H. (2005). Insights into stress among Parish clergy in the UCC. New Jersey: Clay Pots Research.
Smith, Tom W. (2007). Job satisfaction in the United States. Chicago: National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.
Taylor, H. A., Jr., Coady, S. A., Levy, D., Walker, E. R., Vasan, R. S., Liu, J., et al. (2009). Relationships of BMI to cardiovascular risk factors differ by ethnicity. Obesity, 18(8), 1638–1645.
Troiano, R. P., Frongillo, E. A, Jr, Sobal, J., & Levitsky, D. A. (1996). The relationship between body weight and mortality: A quantitative analysis of combined information from existing studies. International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders: Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 20(1), 63–75.
Tu, H. A., & Mayrell, G. (2010). Employer wellness initiatives grow, but effectiveness varies widely. National Institute for Health Care Reform. Research Brief 1.
United States Census. (2010). Retrieved August 11, 2012. http://2010.census.gov/news/releases/operations/cb10-cn93.html
Wallace, A., Proeschold-Bell, R. J., LeGrand, S., James, J., Swift, R., Toole, D., & Toth, M. (2012). Health programming for clergy: An overview of Protestant programs. Pastoral Psychology, 61, 113–143.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lindholm, G., Johnston, J., Dong, F. et al. Clergy Wellness: An Assessment of Perceived Barriers to Achieving Healthier Lifestyles. J Relig Health 55, 97–109 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-014-9976-2
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-014-9976-2