Project Title
Does Epilepsy Affect Religiosity?
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Dr. Brooke Conaway
Abstract
According to the CDC, over three million people in the United States are currently diagnosed with epilepsy, a brain disorder causing seizures. According to the Pew Research Center, over 70% of Americans consider themselves religious, meaning they identify with a religious group or set of beliefs. Since at least the time of Hippocrates, there has been an interesting interaction between epilepsy and spirituality. In addition to this historical connection, it’s possible people with a disability of this nature may use religion as a way to rationalize their condition. Using data from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, I plan to estimate whether being diagnosed with epilepsy affects religiosity. Previous research has found that people with epilepsy are likely to be more interested in religion, but little research on this topic has been done in the field of economics. Using a robust set of controls, my results show epilepsy does not have a statistically significant effect on religiosity.
Does Epilepsy Affect Religiosity?
According to the CDC, over three million people in the United States are currently diagnosed with epilepsy, a brain disorder causing seizures. According to the Pew Research Center, over 70% of Americans consider themselves religious, meaning they identify with a religious group or set of beliefs. Since at least the time of Hippocrates, there has been an interesting interaction between epilepsy and spirituality. In addition to this historical connection, it’s possible people with a disability of this nature may use religion as a way to rationalize their condition. Using data from The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, I plan to estimate whether being diagnosed with epilepsy affects religiosity. Previous research has found that people with epilepsy are likely to be more interested in religion, but little research on this topic has been done in the field of economics. Using a robust set of controls, my results show epilepsy does not have a statistically significant effect on religiosity.