Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Sociology

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Background: Religiosity is known to positively associate with health yet most evidence comes from Western, rich, and Christian-majority societies. Studies in non-Western, lower income, non-Christian contexts such as India are needed. This research examines Sikhs in India, a notably visible and orthopractic tradition where religiosity is inextricably linked to material religious practices.

Objective: Using a large nationally representative sample of Sikh adults in India (N = 1782), this study employed a multidimensional approach and examined the independent associations between self-rated health among Sikh adults in India and communal religious participation (gurdwara attendance) and material religion (the kara, long hair, and for men, the turban, kirpan, and beard).

Methods: This study used data (N = 1782) from the Pew Research Center's 2019-2020 India Survey, a nationally representative sample of adults aged 18 years and older. Multinomial logistic multiple regression was used to assess the independent associations between material religion markers and self-rated health, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Using a constant analytical sample (N = 1,591), stepwise diagnostic probes further investigated potential social pathways including national and personal prejudice, religious salience, identity, and belief in karma.

Results: Frequent gurdwara attendance was associated with a significantly lower risk of reporting poor, fair or good health relative to excellent health. In contrast material religion showed selective associations. Wearing a kara was associated with higher likelihood of reporting fair or good health versus excellent health. Initial models suggested associations for the turban and long hair but diagnostic probes revealed the markers to be negatively correlated with discrimination. Belief in karma emerged as a mover of material associations. This highlights that the relationship between material religion and health cannot be explained by a single factor, rather, it represents an interplay of overlapping processes, such as moral-meaning frameworks and internal religious orientation.

Conclusion: This research demonstrates the dual character of Sikh religiosity by establishing material religion as a critical analytical factor of the social determinants of health. Through practices like Sangat and Seva, community involvement serves as a Safe Harbor for social support and integration. On the other hand, a demanding Warrior Ethos and representative load are reflected in material expressions. Although this identity offers a stable sense of belonging within the national fabric, it requires strict stoic self-management and the projection of Chardikala (everlasting optimism), which may have physiological implications (allostatic load).

Keywords: Sikhism, self-rated health, India, material religion, social determinants, religion, religiosity, orthopraxy.

Date

7-30-2026

Committee Chair

Samuel Stroope

LSU Acknowledgement

1

LSU Accessibility Acknowledgment

1

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