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Religion, Conflict, and Stability in the Former Soviet Union

Jan 15, 2018

Religion is a visible force in the sociopolitical life of post-Soviet countries. Understanding how religion has contributed to peace or tensions in the region could inform policymakers and others working to bring stability to the former Soviet republics.
Essay

Faith-Based Organizations Promote Well-Being in Underserved Communities

Jan 4, 2019

Kathryn Derose, a senior policy researcher at RAND and an Episcopal deacon, works with Latino and African-American churches to address health issues in their communities. Her research has shown the power of the pulpit to fight health disparities, counter stigma, and encourage healthy living.

Explore Religion

Journal Article

Journal Article

Congregational Involvement in HIV: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Factors Influencing HIV Activity Among Diverse Urban Congregations

This paper utilizes comparative case methods and qualitative case data from a sample of urban congregations, and examines a range of factors to identify case scenarios associated with congregations involved in different levels of HIV activity.

Dec 13, 2019
Journal Article

Journal Article

Urban Religious Congregations' Responses to Community Substance Use: An Exploratory Study of Four Cases

This paper explores the characteristics of congregation-based substance abuse disorder treatment programs in a diverse sample of urban religious congregations.

Oct 22, 2019
Commentary

Counterproductive Counterinsurgency: Is Mozambique Creating the Next Boko Haram?

Despite recent claims of ties to the Islamic State, the threat in Mozambique from the Islamist insurgent group al-Sunnah wa Jamaah appears to be domestic, with scarce evidence of direct ties to international extremist groups. But if the Mozambique government continues to respond in a heavy-handed manner, the threat is likely to grow, with potentially devastating effects for the country and region.

Sep 3, 2019
Report

Blaming Sunni-Shi'a Split for Middle East Unrest Is Too Simplistic

Policy decisions are being made based on the assumption that the Middle East is riven by a purely dualistic sectarian war between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims. While sectarianism is relevant, geopolitical competition, local disputes, and political rivalries are the core drivers of conflict in countries like Iraq and Syria.

Aug 30, 2018
Commentary

Politics in India—Not Business as Usual

India's ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has suffered recent, self-inflicted electoral setbacks. But it is still the best-organized and richest political party in the country. Can opposing alliances defeat the BJP?

Jun 19, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

Promoting Health from the Pulpit: A Process Evaluation of HIV Sermons to Reduce HIV Stigma and Promote Testing in African American and Latino Churches

Clergy who embedded HIV messaging into sermons showed wide variation in their fidelity to communicating key messages.

Dec 7, 2017
Journal Article

U.S. Religious Congregations Offer Mental Health Support

Nearly a quarter of congregations in the United States provide mental health programming. Greater coordination between those congregations and mental health providers could foster more integrated and holistic care, which may lead to improved recovery outcomes.

Sep 20, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Sources of Care for Alcohol and Other Drug Problems: The Role of the African American Church

Many Los Angeles-area African American churches provide recovery supports and services for alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and actively connect individuals to formal AOD treatment.

Jun 6, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Retirement Planning Among Hispanics: In God's Hands?

This study explores the influences of retirement planning and saving behavior among urban, low-income, middle-aged and older Hispanics.

May 24, 2017
Report

The Future of Sectarian Relations in the Middle East

Sectarianism is shaping developments across the Middle East. But sectarianism is only one lens for understanding the region's conflicts, and some of its drivers are amenable to policy interventions.

May 22, 2017
Research Brief

The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Addressing HIV

In a series of collaborative studies, RAND researchers sought to better understand urban congregations' capacity for HIV prevention and care, specifically in the areas of stigma reduction and HIV testing.

Apr 27, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

Church-Based HIV Screening in Racial/Ethnic Minority Communities of California, 2011–2012

By expanding the reach of HIV testing programs, church-based testing events could help achieve the goal of universal testing.

Mar 14, 2017
Journal Article

Journal Article

The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in the Depression Care of African Americans and Hispanics in Los Angeles

Compared with non-Hispanic whites and US-born Hispanics, a larger proportion of African Americans and Hispanics used depression care provided by community faith-based organizations.

Nov 29, 2016
Commentary

Taiwan Should Not Worry About the Vatican

Concerns are growing in Taipei over whether the Holy See intends to switch its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. Beijing could be entertaining Vatican requests not out of genuine interest in reestablishing relations, but to put Taiwan on edge.

Oct 5, 2016
Journal Article

Journal Article

Achieving Broad Participation in Congregational Health Surveys at African American and Latino Churches

Participation in church-wide surveys of sensitive health issues can be enhanced by holding survey sessions after religious services, collaborating with congregational leaders, and tailoring surveys to the cultural and organizational contexts.

Sep 15, 2016
Journal Article

Journal Article

The Association of Religious Affiliation with Overweight/Obesity Among South Asians: The Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study

For Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim respondents of the MASALA (Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America) survey, religiosity was associated with being overweight or obese.

Aug 23, 2016
Journal Article

Journal Article

Mutualistic Cooperation — Why Religion Is Common but Saints Are Rare

This commentary on a larger focus article suggests that religion may improve wellness through mutualistic benefits that do not require truly altruistic cooperation and related cultural signaling systems.

Jul 19, 2016
Blog

Orlando Nightclub Shooting: RAND Experts React

RAND experts provide perspective on the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, what it likely means within the context of the campaign against ISIS, and more.

Jun 15, 2016

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