Health and Christianity: Controlling for Omitted Variable Bias by Using the Data of Twins and Siblings

Abstract

To account for potential bias from heterogeneity in heredity, family background or other endogeneity, I use the within-twin and within-siblings differences to estimate the effects of Christianity on three health outcome variables by applying fixed effect model to the data of twins and siblings from the first wave of the National Survey of Midlife in the United States (1995). Both this model and other non-model-based statistical tests confirm significant positive health effects of religiosity of Christianity. The results also support the three explanatory mechanisms of religion on health proposed by Son and Wilson (2011): behaviors and lifestyles, social networks and social support and psychological resources.

Keywords: health, religiosity, Christianity, omitted variable bias, endogeneity

JEL Classification: I18