A Multidimensional Approach to Religiosity and Disengagement

This study of 106 elderly Central Missourians examines religious behavior as an indication of "disengagement." It is argued that religiosity must be measured in both organizational forms such as attending religious services and the more subjective nonorganizational forms including prayer and listening to religious services and music on radio and television before an assessment of "disengagement" is made. Following Hochschild (1975) it is argued that from the perspective of researchers and others it may appear "engaged". Data support the thesis that elderly may be disengaged organizationally but engaged non-organizationally.