Spirituality and Relgion Among Americans Age 45 and OlderSpirituality and Religion Among Americans Age 45 and Older, AARP, October 2004 5 INTRODUCTION This study offers a fresh look

Spirituality and ReligionAmong AmericansAge 45 and Older

October 2004

Spirituality and Religion Among Americans Age 45 and Older

For

AARP The Magazine

Summary Report written by Xenia P. Montenegro, Ph.D.

National Member Research, Knowledge Management

Survey conducted by ICR/AUS Consultants

©Copyright AARP Reprinting with permission only

601 E St. NW Washington, D.C. 20049

www.aarp.org

October 2004

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for people 50 and over. We provide information and resources; engage in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy; assist members in serving their communities; and offer a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for our members. These include AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; Segunda Juventud, our quarterly newspaper in Spanish; NRTA Live and Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our Web site, www.aarp.org. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Acknowledgements We would like to thank staff at ICR/AUS Consultants, for their work in conducting this survey. Many AARP staff contributed to this project. From AARP The Magazine, the sponsor of the survey, we want to thank Steven Slon, Ron Geraci, and Karen Reyes for their sponsorship and creative insights. Hana Holley from National Member Research checked all the data, conducted some analysis, and worked on the charts. For additional information, contact Xenia P. Montenegro, Ph.D. at 202-434-3538

Spirituality and Religion Among Americans Age 45 and Older, AARP, October 2004 3

Contents

INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................5

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS...............................................................................6

Churchgoing among Midlife and Older Americans .......................................................... 6 Spirituality and Religiosity .................................................................................................... 7 Dissatisfaction with Religion and Church........................................................................... 7

APPENDIX...........................................................................................................9

Figures .................................................................................................................................... 10 Annotated Questionnaire..................................................................................................... 19 Methodology.......................................................................................................................... 29


LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Attend Religious Services At Least Once Every Two Weeks................... 10 Figure 2. Reasons for Attending Religious Services ................................................. 11 Figure 3. Self‐Rated Level of Religiosity ...................................................................... 12 Figure 4. Self‐Rated Level of Spirituality..................................................................... 13 Figure 5. Self‐Rated Religiosity vs. Spirituality ......................................................... 14 Figure 6. Self‐Rated Spirituality vs. Religiosity ......................................................... 14 Figure 7. Most Satisfying Spiritual or Religious Experiences,

Total and by Gender ..................................................................................... 15 Figure 8. Experienced Dissatisfaction or Unhappiness with Religion

or Church ........................................................................................................ 16 Figure 9. Dissatisfaction or Unhappiness with Religion or Church In Relation

to Church Attendance, Religiosity, and Spirituality ................................. 17 Figure 10. Reasons for Dissatisfaction or Unhappiness with Religion.................... 18


INTRODUCTION This study offers a fresh look at spirituality and religion among Americans age 45 and older: their churchgoing behavior, what they consider their most satisfying spiritual and religious experiences, and their dissatisfaction, if any, with religion or their church. AARP The Magazine uncovered some surprises when it commissioned this study, while affirming age old beliefs and research showing that indeed, women are more religious than men, and older people are more religious than younger people. This report provides a summary of the findings. The annotated questionnaire in the Appendix provides response frequencies for each question, based on total respondents and by gender. More detailed results can also be obtained from AARP.


SUMMARY OF FINDINGS CHURCHGOING AMONG MIDLIFE AND OLDER AMERICANS More than half of Americans age 45 and older attend church regularly, or at least once every two weeks.

Attends church regularly

56%

Does not attend church regularly

43%

No answer/ don't know

1%

Women are more likely than men to be regular churchgoers (63% women versus 48% men), while Republicans are more likely than Democrats and Independents to be regular churchgoers (65%, 54%, and 50% respectively). Churchgoing is also associated with age (older people are more likely to attend church regularly), with geography (those who live in the West are much less likely to be regular churchgoers) and education (higher education is associated with more churchgoing). The highest income group is just as likely as the lowest income groups to be regular churchgoers, but those with incomes between $50,000 - $99,999 per year are the most likely to be regular churchgoers (See Figure 1 in Appendix). The two major reasons for attending religious services are related to a supreme being: to worship God/a higher power (35%) and to feel closer to God (30%). The next two major reasons are related to self: feels good/feeds my spirit (24%), and to be a better person (17%). (See Figure 2)


SPIRITUALITY AND RELIGIOSITY With more frequency than churchgoing, Americans age 45 and older tend to perceive themselves as religious. Eight in ten rate themselves as religious, with about a third (34%) considering themselves to be very religious. In the same manner, they also rate themselves as being spiritual (85% very or somewhat), with 42 percent saying they are very spiritual. Most who consider themselves very religious also consider themselves very spiritual (81%), and vice versa. However, those who say they are very spiritual are not as likely to say that they are very religious, with about two thirds (66%) of the very religious saying they are very spiritual. Women are much more likely than men to say they are very spiritual (51% women vs. 32% men) or very religious (40% women vs. 28% men). (See Figures 3-6) Satisfying Spiritual or Religious Experiences The most satisfying spiritual or religious experiences, surprisingly, do not involve a supreme being. Rather, these involve helping others (40%) and living a good moral life (35%). Prayer comes in third (32%), but being with family members follow (28%), then attending services (20%), and communing with nature (12%). Women are more apt than men to say that prayer is one of their most satisfying spiritual or religious experiences (37% women versus 26% men). (See Figure 7) DISSATISFACTION WITH RELIGION OR CHURCH Despite their regular church attendance or religiosity, people express dissatisfaction or unhappiness with their religion or church. Approximately one third of Americans age 45 and older (36%) claims ever experiencing dissatisfaction or unhappiness with their religion or church. Those who do not attend church regularly are more likely to say they are unhappy or dissatisfied (40%); however there is also dissatisfaction among the faithful, that is, those who regularly attend church (33%). Even some of those who say they are very religious express unhappiness or dissatisfaction (31%), albeit to a lesser degree than those who are somewhat religious (40%), and those who report not being religious (38%). Dissatisfaction or unhappiness surfaces primarily among the youngest of the group (43% among 45-49 year olds versus 25% among those age 70+) and among boomers. It


remains to be seen whether this younger group’s dissatisfaction will persist as they get older.

Other demographic factors contribute to dissatisfaction or unhappiness with people’s religion or church. These include education, with the most educated reporting the most unhappiness; and income, with the highest income group being the most dissatisfied. Democrats and independents are also more likely to report unhappiness (40% for both groups) than republicans (31%). The difference in reporting dissatisfaction by gender is very small (38% among men versus 34% among women). (See Figures 8-9) Reasons for Dissatisfaction Disagreement with their church’s views is the primary reason people are unhappy or dissatisfied, with more than two thirds (70%) citing this as a reason. Coming second are “hypocrisy of members” and the “behavior of ministers or other leaders,” cited with almost the same frequency (58% and 57%). These top three reasons are the same regardless of gender, education, income, geography or political affiliation. (See Figure 10)


APPENDIX


FIGURES

Figure 1: Attend Religious Services At Least Once Every Two Weeks (% Yes)

56%

48%

63%

49%

54%

60%

63%

54%

57%

61%

54%

53%

62%

59%

52%

54%

61%

62%

40%

65%

54%

50%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

TOTAL

Male

Female

AGE

<50

50-59

60-69

70+

EDUCATION

High School or less

Some College

Postgraduate+

INCOME

<$25K

$25K-49.9K

$50K-74.9K

$75K-99.9K

$100K+

REGION

North East

North Central

South

West

AFFILIATION

Republican

Democrat

Independent

SP1. Do you regularly attend services such as weekly, or every two weeks in a house of worship

such as a church, mosque, synagogue, or temple? (Base=1,625; all respondents)


Figure 2: Reasons for Attending Religious Services

35%

30%

24%

17%

6%

6%

3%

2%

1%

1%

25%

6%

4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Worship God/ higherpower

Feel closer to God

Feels good/feeds spirit

To be a better person

Enjoyment/socialization

Grand/children’s sake

It’s a habit

Fear of hell

Feel like I have to

Please grand/parents

Don't regularly attend

None of these

DK, NA

SP2. Which of the following is your main/next main reason for attending services?

(Base=1,625; all respondents)


Figure 3: Self-Rated Level of Religiosity (% Very Religious)

34%

28%

40%

32%

32%

35%

40%

34%

36%

34%

36%

34%

33%

24%

31%

33%

33%

38%

30%

40%

31%

32%

47%

18%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

TOTAL

Male

Female

AGE

<50

50-59

60-69

70+

EDUCATION

High School or less

Some College

Postgraduate+

INCOME

<$25K

$25K-49.9K

$50K-74.9K

$75K-99.9K

$100K+

REGION

North East

North Central

South

West

AFFILIATION

Republican

Democrat

Independent

ATTENDS REGULARLY

Yes

No

SP4. How do you rate yourself when it comes to being religious?



Figure 4: Self-Rated Level of Spirituality (% Very Spiritual)

42%

32%

51%

42%

44%

44%

38%

39%

47%

45%

43%

43%

43%

43%

42%

36%

43%

47%

37%

45%

43%

42%

52%

30%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

TOTAL

Male

Female

AGE

<50

50-59

60-69

70+

EDUCATION

High School or less

Some College

Postgraduate+

INCOME

<$25K

$25K-49.9K

$50K-74.9K

$75K-99.9K

$100K+

REGION

North East

North Central

South

West

AFFILIATION

Republican

Democrat

Independent

ATTENDS REGULARLY

Yes

No

SP5. How do you rate yourself when it comes to being spiritual?



Figure 5: Self-Rated Religiosity vs. Spirituality

81%

22% 25%

16%

71%

34%19%

34%

11%

25%

5%

40%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Very RELIGIOUS

(n=555)

SomewhatRELIGIOUS

(n=741)

Not veryRELIGIOUS

(n=152)

Not at allRELIGIOUS

(n=99)

DK, NA

Not at allSPIRITUAL

Not verySPIRITUAL

SomewhatSPIRITUAL

Very SPIRITUAL

Figure 6: Self-Rated Spirituality vs. Religiosity

66%

13%

23%

75%

38%

14%

49%

10%

11%

69%

6% 8%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Very SPIRITUAL(n=686)

SomewhatSPIRITUAL

(n=697)

Not verySPIRITUAL

(n=104)

Not at allSPIRITUAL

(n=58)

DK, NA

Not at allRELIGIOUS

Not veryRELIGIOUS

SomewhatRELIGIOUS

Very RELIGIOUS

SP4. How do you rate yourself when it comes to being religious? SP5. How do you rate yourself when it comes to being spiritual?


Figure 7: Most Satisfying Spiritual or Religious Experiences, Total and by Gender

40%

35%

32%

28%

20%

12%

8%

1%

2%

2%

5%

41%

36%

26%

28%

18%

16%

6%

1%

1%

4%

7%

40%

34%

37%

29%

23%

9%

9%

1%

2%

1%

5%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Helping others

Living a good moral life

Prayer

Being with familymembers

Attending services

Communing with nature

Meditation

Pilgrimage to holy place

Other

None of these

DK, NA

TOTAL

Men

Women

SP6-7. What do you consider to be your most/next most satisfying spiritual or religious

experience? (Base=1,625; all respondents)


Figure 8: Experienced Dissatisfaction or Unhappiness with Religion or Church (%Yes)

36%

38%

34%

43%

39%

34%

25%

32%

39%

42%

29%

36%

36%

46%

59%

38%

39%

33%

33%

31%

40%

40%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

TOTAL

Male

Female

AGE

<50

50-59

60-69

70+

EDUCATION

High School or less

Some College

Postgraduate+

INCOME

<$25K

$25K-49.9K

$50K-74.9K

$75K-99.9K

$100K+

REGION

North East

North Central

South

West

AFFILIATION

Republican

Democrat

Independent

SP3. Have you ever experienced dissatisfaction or unhappiness with your religion or church?



Figure 9: Dissatisfaction or Unhappiness with Religion or Church in Relation to Church Attendance, Religiosity, and Spirituality (%Yes)

36%

33%

40%

31%

40%

37%

40%

36%

38%

31%

27%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

TOTAL

ATTENDSREGULARLY

Yes

No

RELIGIOSITY

Very religious

Somewhat religious

Not very religious

Not at all religious

SPIRITUALITY

Very spiritual

Somewhat spiritual

Not very spiritual

Not at all spiritual

SP3. Have you ever experienced dissatisfaction or unhappiness with your religion or church?



Figure 10: Reasons for Dissatisfaction or Unhappiness with Religion

70%

58%

57%

39%

18%

7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Don’t agree with some oftheir views

Hypocrisy of members

Behavior of ministers orother leaders

Too much emphasis ongiving money

It has too many rules

It takes too much time

SP3a-f. Which of the following, if any, may have made you become unhappy with your religion

or question your religious beliefs? (Base=571; respondents who experienced dissatisfaction or unhappiness with religion or church)


ANNOTATED QUESTIONNAIRE SP-1 Do you regularly attend services such as weekly, or every two weeks in a house of worship such as a church, mosque, synagogue, or temple? (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Yes 56 48 63 No 43 50 37 Don’t know <1 0 <1 Refused 1 2 <1 SP-2. Which of the following is your MAIN reason for attending services? (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) To worship my God or higher power 26 23 29 It makes me feel closer to God 15 12 17 It feels good, feeds my spirit 10 7 12 It helps me to be a better person 8 8 8 For enjoyment and socialization 2 1 2 For the children’s or grandchildren’s sake

2 3 1

I feel like I have to 1 1 1 To please parents/grandparents 1 1 1 It’s a habit 1 1 1 Fear of going to hell 1 1 <1 Do not regularly attend religious services

25 30 21

None of these 6 8 5 Don’t know 2 2 1 Refused 2 3 1


SP-2a. Which is your NEXT reason for attending services? Total respondents 45+ who had a main reason for attending service (n=1,089)

Total (%) Male (%) Female (%)

It makes me feel closer to God 24 23 24 It feels good, feeds my spirit 22 19 23 To worship my God or higher power 14 16 13 It helps me to be a better person 13 13 14 For enjoyment and socialization 7 8 7 For the children’s or grandchildren’s sake

5 5 5

It’s a habit 2 3 2 Fear of going to hell 2 2 1 I feel like I have to 1 1 1 To please parents/grandparents <1 <1 <1 None of these 7 9 6 Don’t know 2 2 2 Refused <1 0 <1 SP-2/SP-2a Combination Table (multiple response) (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Any (net) 65 58 72 To worship my God or higher power

35 32 38

It makes me feel closer to God 30 25 34 It feels good, feeds my spirit 24 19 29 It helps me to be a better person 17 15 18 For enjoyment and socialization 6 6 7 For the children’s or grandchildren’s sake

6 6 5

It’s a habit 3 3 2 Fear of going to hell 2 2 1 I feel like I have to 1 1 1 To please parents/grandparents 1 1 1 Do not regularly attend religious services

25 30 21

None of these 6 8 5 Don’t know 2 2 1 Refused 2 3 1


SP-3. Have you ever experienced dissatisfaction or unhappiness with your religion or church?

(n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Yes 36 38 34 No 60 57 63 Don’t know 2 2 1 Refused 3 3 2 SP-3a. Which of the following, if any, may have made you become unhappy with

your religion or question your religious beliefs? How about (INSERT ITEM)?

a. It has too many rules Total respondents 45+ who experienced dissatisfaction or unhappiness with religion or church (n=571)


Yes 18 19 17 No 79 77 81 Don’t know 2 3 1 Refused 1 1 <1 b. Behavior of ministers, priests, rabbis, or other leaders Total respondents 45+ who experienced dissatisfaction or unhappiness with religion or church (n=571)


Yes 57 57 58 No 40 40 39 Don’t know 2 2 3 Refused 1 1 * c. Hypocrisy of members Total respondents 45+ who experienced dissatisfaction or unhappiness with religion or church (n=571)


Yes 58 57 60 No 38 39 37 Don’t know 3 4 3 Refused 1 1 <1


d. Too much emphasis on giving money Total respondents 45+ who experienced dissatisfaction or unhappiness with religion or church (n=571)


Yes 39 37 41 No 59 60 58 Don’t know 1 2 1 Refused 1 1 <1 e. It takes too much time Total respondents 45+ who experienced dissatisfaction or unhappiness with religion or church (n=571)


Yes 7 7 7 No 92 91 92 Don’t know 1 2 <1 Refused 1 1 <1 f. Don’t agree with some of their views Total respondents 45+ who experienced dissatisfaction or unhappiness with religion or church (n=571)


Yes 70 73 66 No 28 24 31 Don’t know 2 2 2 Refused 1 1 <1 SP-4. How do you rate yourself when it comes to being religious? Would you say you are (READ ITEMS)? (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Very religious 34 28 40 Somewhat religious 46 47 44 Not very religious 9 12 7 Not at all religious 6 8 5 Don’t know 2 1 3 Refused 3 4 2


SP-5. How do you rate yourself when it comes to being spiritual? Would you say you are (READ ITEMS)? (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Very spiritual 42 32 51 Somewhat spiritual 43 48 38 Not very spiritual 6 9 4 Not at all spiritual 4 5 2 Don’t know 2 2 2 Refused 3 4 2 SP-6. What do you consider to be your MOST satisfying spiritual or religious

experience? (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Prayer 20 15 25 Living a good moral life 19 21 18 Helping others 19 19 18 Being with family members 13 13 14 Attending services in house of worship 10 9 11 Communing with nature 5 7 3 Meditation 3 4 3 Pilgrimage to holy place 1 <1 1 Other 1 1 1 None of these 2 4 1 Don’t know 2 2 3 Refused 3 5 2 SP-7. What do you consider to be your NEXT most satisfying spiritual or religious

experience?

Total Respondents 45+ who have a most satisfying spiritual or religious experience (n=1,487)


Helping others 24 25 23 Living a good moral life 17 17 17 Being with family members 16 16 16 Prayer 12 12 13 Attending services in house of worship 11 9 13 Communing with nature 7 9 6 Meditation 5 3 6 Pilgrimage to holy place 1 1 <1 Other 1 1 2 None of these 2 2 1 Don’t know 3 3 2 Refused <1 <1 1


SP-6/SP-7 Combination Table (multiple response) (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Any (net) 92 89 95 Helping others 40 41 40 Living a good moral life 35 36 34 Prayer 32 26 37 Being with family members 28 28 29 Attending services in house of worship

20 18 23

Communing with nature 12 16 9 Meditation 8 6 9 Pilgrimage to holy place 1 1 1 Other 2 1 2 None of these 2 4 1 Don’t know 2 2 3 Refused 3 5 2 AM-1. Are you or your spouse or partner currently a member of AARP

(IF NECESSARY: formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons)?

Total respondents 50+ (n=1,334)


Yes 45 48 42 No 54 50 57 Don’t know 1 1 <1 Refused 1 1 <1 Z-1. Is your home owned or rented? (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Own 81 84 79 Rent 16 13 20 Don’t know <1 1 <1 Refused 2 3 1 Z-2. Are you: (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Single 6 7 6 Single, living with a partner 3 3 2 Married 60 66 54 Separated 2 2 2 Widowed 14 5 22 Divorced 13 13 13 Refused 2 3 1


Z-3. Would you consider yourself to be the male/female head of this household? (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Yes 94 92 95 No 5 5 4 Don’t know <1 <1 <1 Refused 1 2 1 Z-4. Currently, are you yourself employed full-time, part-time, or not at all?

If not employed, are you retired, homemaker, student, or temporarily unemployed?

(n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Employed 51 55 46

- Full-time 40 49 31 - Part-time 11 6 15

Not Employed 48 42 53 - Retired 32 33 31 - Housewife 6 <1 11 - Student <1 <1 <1 - Temporarily unemployed 4 4 4 - Disabled/Handicapped 5 3 6 - Other 1 1 1

Refused 2 3 1 Z-6. Including yourself, how many people are there living in your household? (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) One 21 17 25 Two 44 46 42 Three 15 16 14 Four 10 12 9 Five or more 8 7 8 Refused 2 3 1 Z-6a. How many of these are adults, 18 or older? (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) One 23 18 27 Two 50 52 49 Three 16 18 15 Four 6 7 5 Five or more 2 2 2 Refused 2 3 1


Z-6b,c,d. How many are children 12 to 17, … 6 to 11, … under 6? (multiple responses) (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) 5 yrs. or younger 4 3 4 6 - 11 yrs. 7 7 7 12 – 17 yrs. 14 12 16 No children 79 80 78 Refused 2 4 1 Z-7. What is your age? (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) 45-49 22 23 21 50-54 19 19 19 55-59 16 17 15 60-64 13 13 13 65-70 11 10 11 71+ 19 17 20 Z-8. What is the last grade of school you completed? (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Less than high school graduate 19 18 20 High school graduate 30 26 34 Some college 23 23 23 Graduated college 14 16 13 Postgraduate school or more 8 10 7 Technical school / other 3 4 2 Refused 2 3 1 Z-9. Is your total annual household income from all sources, and before taxes: (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Under $25,000 28 22 32 $25,000 - $49,999 23 24 24 $50,000 - $74,999 15 17 14 $75,000 - $99,999 10 11 8 $100,000 or more 9 13 6 $25,000 and over (unspecified) 2 2 3


Z-10,11. Are you of Hispanic origin or background? Are you White Hispanic or Black Hispanic? Would you consider yourself to be White, Black or of some other race?

(n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Non-Hispanic White 77 78 77 Hispanic 7 6 8 African American 8 7 10 Other 4 4 3 Refused 4 5 3 Z-11A. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as: (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Republican 29 31 28 Democrat 34 29 38 Independent 26 29 24 Other 2 2 1 Don’t know 3 2 4 Refused 6 6 5 Z-11B. Are you registered to vote at your present address? (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Yes 86 85 86 No 12 12 12 Don’t know <1 <1 1 Refused 2 3 2 S-A. Now, thinking about television viewing, does your household currently

subscribe to cable TV or a satellite dish service? (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Cable only 60 60 59 Satellite only 21 23 19 Both 1 1 1 Neither 18 16 20 Don’t know <1 <1 <1


D1. Gender of the Respondent (n=1,625) Total Male 47 Female 53 D2. Region (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Northeast 19 20 19 North Central 24 23 24 South 37 35 40 West 20 22 17 D3. Metro Status (n=1,625) Total (%) Male (%) Female (%) Metro 80 80 79 Non-metro 20 20 21


METHODOLOGY This survey was conducted for AARP by International Communications Research (ICR) of Media Pennsylvania through its EXCEL National Telephone Omnibus Study. EXCEL is a national twice-weekly telephone omnibus service designed to meet the standards of quality associated with custom research studies. Sample Design Each EXCEL survey consists of a minimum of 1,000 interviews, 1/2 with men and 1/2 with women. EXCEL uses a fully-replicated, stratified, single-stage random-digit-dialing (RDD) sample of telephone households. Sample telephone numbers are computer generated and loaded into on-line sample files accessed directly by the CRT system. Within each sample household, one adult respondent is randomly selected using a computerized procedure based on the "Most Recent Birthday Method" of respondent selection. Field Period Interviewing for each EXCEL survey is conducted over a 5-day period, via CRT's, encompassing both weekdays and weekends. Up to four attempts are made to a number on various days and at different time periods. Questionnaire Design/Respondent Information Each EXCEL is composed of two distinct parts. The first part is the series of inserts containing proprietary questions. Because of the broad range of subjects in any particular wave, an appropriate transitional statement introduces each section to ensure complete respondent understanding and attention. Placement of each insert is determined by overall question flow. The second part of the questionnaire includes standard demographic/classification data:

Respondent Demographics

Household Characteristics

• Age* • Income* • Sex* • Own/Rent • Education* • Household Size/Composition • Employment Status • Race*

• Number of telephone numbers serving sample household

• Marital Status • Political Affiliation

* indicates that these items are included in the EXCEL Standard Banner


Detailed geographic data are also included in each respondent record. This facilitates the specification of custom geographic breaks for tabulation or sampling purposes. The standard geographic information consists of:

• Census Region (4)*/Division (9) • Time Zone • State/County Code • MSA/PMSA • ADI • County Size Designation (i.e., A, B, C, D counties) • Metropolitan Status Code*

1) Metro a) center city of metro area b) center city county of metro area c) county MSA (i.e., no designated central city) d) non-central city county of metro area 2) Non-metropolitan county * indicates that these items are included in the EXCEL Standard Banner Weighting Each EXCEL can be weighted to provide nationally representative and projectable estimates of the adult population 18 years of age and older. The weighting process takes into account the disproportionate probabilities of household selection due to the number of separate telephone lines and the probability associated with the random selection of an individual household member. Following application of the above weights, the sample is post-stratified and balanced by key demographics such as age, sex, region and education.


SAMPLING TOLERANCE FOR SURVEY PERCENTAGES The following table provides the reader a quick estimate of the significant differences around a reported percent at varying sample sizes. All significant difference percents are calculated at the 95% confidence level.

REPORTED PERCENTS Sample Size 10% or 90% 20% or 80% 30% or 70% 40% or 60% 50%

100 5.9 7.8 9.0 9.6 9.8 200 4.2 5.5 6.4 6.8 6.9 300 3.4 4.5 5.2 5.5 5.7 400 2.9 3.9 4.5 4.8 4.9

500 2.6 3.5 4.0 4.3 4.4 600 2.4 3.2 3.7 3.9 4.0 700 2.2 3.0 3.4 3.6 3.7 800 2.1 2.8 3.2 3.4 3.5 900 2.0 2.6 3.0 3.2 3.3 1000 1.9 2.5 2.8 3.0 3.1 1500 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.5 2.6 2000 1.3 1.8 2.1 2.2 2.2 5000 .8 1.1 1.3 1.4 1.4

HOW TO READ: Assume the reported percent having a sample base of 1000 is 33%. The closest column to this reported percent is the 30% or 70% column. The significant difference on the table shows 2.8%. This means that 95 out of 100 surveys with a sample size of 1000 will yield a percent of 33% plus or minus 2.8% or within the range of 30.2% and 35.8%.


SAMPLING TOLERANCES WHEN COMPARING TWO SAMPLES

Approximate Sampling Tolerances For Differences Between Two Survey Percentages At Or Near These Levels

Approximate Magnitude of Results

Approximate Size of Samples Compared

Survey Percentage Results at 10% or 90%

Survey Percentage Results at 20% or 80%

Survey Percentage Results At 30% or 70%

Survey Percentage Results At 40% or 60%

Survey Percentage Results at 50%

2000 vs. 2000 2 2 3 3 3 1000 2 3 3 4 4 500 3 4 4 5 5 100 6 8 9 10 10

1500 vs. 1500 2 3 3 4 4 750 3 4 4 4 4 500 3 4 5 5 5 100 6 8 9 10 10

1000 vs. 1000 3 4 4 4 4 750 3 4 4 5 5 500 3 4 5 5 5 100 6 8 9 10 10

750 vs. 750 3 4 5 5 5 500 3 5 5 6 6 100 6 8 10 10 10

500 vs. 500 4 5 6 6 6 300 4 6 7 7 7 200 6 7 8 8 8 100 6 9 10 11 11 50 9 12 13 14 15

300 vs. 300 5 6 7 8 8 200 5 7 8 9 9 100 7 9 10 11 11 50 9 12 14 15 15

200 vs. 200 6 8 9 10 10 100 7 10 11 12 12 50 9 12 14 15 15

100 vs. 100 8 11 13 14 14 50 10 14 16 17 17

HOW TO READ:

1) In two separate samples of 2000, if an observed percentage difference is 3 or more points at the 50% results area, the chances are 95 in 100 that it is a true difference and not due to chance alone.

2) In two separate samples of unequal size, i.e., 2000 vs. 500, if an observed percentage difference is 5 or more at the 50% results area, the chances are 95 in 100 that it is a true difference and not due to chance alone.

Documents

Spirituality and Relgion Among Americans Age 45 and OlderSpirituality and Religion Among Americans Age 45 and Older, AARP, October 2004 5 INTRODUCTION This study offers a fresh look