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A family member's death increases religious activity: Evidence from Germany

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  • Tim Friehe
  • Christian Pfeifer

Abstract

Religiosity influences economic behavior in various domains, but what determines religiosity? Using data from the representative Socio‐Economic Panel Study for Germany (SOEP), this paper shows that religious activity increases after a family member's death. The life event's effect is larger after a partner's death when compared to a parent's death. Our results indicate that the influence of a family member's death on religious activity is temporary and are consistent with the religious coping hypothesis.

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  • Tim Friehe & Christian Pfeifer, 2024. "A family member's death increases religious activity: Evidence from Germany," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 77(2), pages 458-468, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:kyklos:v:77:y:2024:i:2:p:458-468
    DOI: 10.1111/kykl.12372
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