The relationship of the religious faith and practice of student youth and adults in southeastern Poland and western Ukraine with their health status and attitudes toward physical culture

Abstract

Abstract Background: Religious faith and practice are important aspects of human life and give meaning to human existence. The development of modernity and consumerism has significantly undermined the religious foundations of a present-day global society. The aim of this study is to determine the relationships of the religious faith and practice of student youth and adults in Poland (Podkarpacie and Lesser Poland regions) and in western Ukraine (Lviv region) with the self-rated health status and their attitudes toward physical culture. Participants included 1,458 people from southeastern Poland and western Ukraine. The diagnostic survey method was used, with a questionnaire including items about faith in God versus atheism, religious affiliation, and the extent to which religion is practiced. The questionnaire contained 16 items in its main part, along with 7 record-related questions. Results: The component of health that was rated highest was physical health among believers and mental health among non-believers. The results of the analysis of variance showed significant differences between the individual variables depending on the declaration of faith in God. Conclusion: While the faith of the inhabitants of southeastern Poland and western Ukraine is largely related to their regular religious practice, irregularity dominates this practice. Respondents combined ratings of their faith and/or practice with self-rated health status; more religious people had statistically lower levels of self-rated health.