Examining the Influence of Age and Gender on Christian Service Involvement
Rochelle Coleman
Liberty University
HLTH-511 (B-01)
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between age, gender, and Christian service
involvement. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from an initial sample of 80
participants; however, one participant under the age of 18 was excluded, resulting in a final
sample of 79 participants who reported their annual hours of Christian service. Pearson
correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between age and service hours (r =
0.767, p < 0.001), indicating that older individuals tend to dedicate more time to Christian
service. An independent samples t-test found no significant difference in service hours between
males and females (t(77) = 0.308, p = 0.759). These findings suggest that age significantly
influences religious service involvement, while gender does not appear to be a determining
factor. Future research should explore additional demographic and motivational variables to
further understand engagement in Christian service.
Introduction
Participating in Christian service fosters community connections and supports individual
well-being. Previous research has explored various demographic influences on religious service
participation, particularly the roles of age and gender. Studies indicate that age frequently
correlates with greater religious involvement, as older individuals often dedicate more time to
Christian service. However, the influence of gender on religious service participation is less
conclusive, with studies yielding mixed results.
This study explores how age influences the number of hours individuals devote to
Christian service annually and whether gender plays a role in religious service participation.
Specifically, it examines whether age affects the level of involvement in Christian service and
assesses whether males and females differ in their engagement and participation patterns.
Through examining these demographic factors, the study seeks to deepen understanding of
religious engagement and service participation patterns.
To answer these questions, this study will test the following hypotheses:
Age and Christian Service Hours:
•Null Hypothesis (H₀): There is no significant relationship between age and
hours of Christian service per year.
•Alternative Hypothesis (H₁): There is a significant relationship between age
and hours of Christian service per year.
Gender and Christian Service Hours:
•Null Hypothesis (H₀): There is no significant difference in hours of Christian
service per year between males and females.
•Alternative Hypothesis (H₁): There is a significant difference in hours of
Christian service per year between males and females.
Methods
This study utilizes a quantitative, observational, cross-sectional design to examine the
relationship between age, gender, and hours of Christian service per year. Data were collected
from participants representing various age groups and gender identities to assess potential
differences in religious service involvement.
Participants
A total of 80 participants initially completed the survey. However, one participant was
under the age of 18 and was excluded from analysis, resulting in a final sample of 79
participants. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling, drawing from individuals
actively engaged in Christian service communities. Eligibility criteria included individuals aged
18 and older who reported participating in Christian service activities. No exclusion criteria
based on gender or denominational affiliation were applied. The final sample consisted of 37
males (46.8%) and 42 females (53.2%).
Data Collection
Data was gathered using a structured survey designed to measure key study variables.
The survey included questions on age, gender, and the number of hours dedicated to Christian
service annually. Age was recorded in whole years, gender was documented as male or female,
and Christian service involvement was measured by the estimated number of hours participants
reported serving over the past year.
Survey responses were reviewed for completeness before analysis. Data were cleaned to
remove duplicate responses and to ensure all reported service hours were within a reasonable
range. This study was conducted in accordance with ethical research guidelines. Given the
minimal risk associated with survey-based research, IRB approval was not required. Structured
surveys were distributed electronically through social media outreach and in person at
churchbased events. Informed consent was obtained from all participants before completing
the survey.
Statistical Analysis
This study tested the following hypotheses: (1) whether age is significantly related to
Christian service hours and (2) whether there is a significant difference in Christian service hours
between males and females.
Descriptive statistics were calculated to summarize participant characteristics, including
mean age (31.94 years) and average Christian service hours per year (232.17 hours).
A Pearson correlation test assessed the relationship between age and Christian service
hours, revealing a strong positive correlation (r = 0.767, p < 0.001). A two-tailed independent
samples t-test evaluated gender differences in Christian service hours. The results indicated no
significant difference between males (M = 232.96) and females (M = 231.48) in Christian service
hours, t(77) = 0.308, p = 0.759. Levene’s Test confirmed equal variances (F = 0.515, p = 0.475).
Statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05, and all analyses were conducted
using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 28.0.1.1 (14) (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).
Results
Table 1 presents the descriptive statistics for Christian service hours by gender. The
mean service hours for males (M = 232.96, 95% CI [226.41, 239.50]) and females (M = 231.48,
95% CI [224.46, 238.50]) indicate minimal differences between genders.
Table 1. Male and Female Christian Service Hours Statistics
Descriptives
Gender Statistic Std. Error
Hrs. per
Year
Male Mean 232.9562 3.22772
95% Confidence Interval
for Mean
Lower
Bound
226.4101
Upper
Bound
239.5023
5% Trimmed Mean 232.3871
Median 231.2900
Variance 385.473
Std. Deviation 19.63347
Minimum 198.80
Maximum 279.58
Range 80.78
Interquartile Range 30.71
Skewness .438 .388
Kurtosis -.393 .759
Female Mean 231.4826 3.47494
95% Confidence Interval
for Mean
Lower
Bound
224.4648
Upper
Bound
238.5004
5% Trimmed Mean 231.2930
Median 232.0800
Variance 507.159
Std. Deviation 22.52019
Minimum 187.48
Maximum 285.52
Range 98.04
Interquartile Range 30.70
Skewness .140 .365
Kurtosis -.130 .717
Tests of Normality
Tests of normality were conducted to determine whether the data followed a normal
distribution. Since both the Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests returned p-values
greater than 0.05, normality was confirmed, justifying the use of parametric statistical tests.
Results are displayed in Table 2.
Table 2. Tests of Normality
Tests of Normality
Gender Kolmogorov-SmirnovaShapiro-Wilk
Statistic df Sig. Statistic df Sig.
Hrs. per
Year
Male .083 37 .200*.976 37 .598
Female .061 42 .200*.990 42 .972
*. This is a lower bound of the true significance.
a. Lilliefors Significance Correction
Distribution of Christian Service Hours
The histograms illustrate the distribution of Christian service hours for male and female
participants, aiding in the assessment of normality and participation trends. The male
distribution (Figure 1) is slightly right skewed, indicating a few participants reported significantly
higher service hours than the majority. In contrast, the female distribution (Figure 2) is more
symmetrical, resembling a normal distribution.
Figure 1. Distribution of Christian Service Hours for Male Participants
Figure 2. Distribution of Christian Service Hours for Female Participants
Histogram
for Gender= Female
8Mean = Std. Dev. = 231.4822.52
N = 42
6
4
2
0 180.00 200.00 220.00 240.00 260.00 280.00
Hrs. per Year
Both distributions confirm that Christian service hours are approximately normally
distributed, justifying the use of the Pearson correlation and the independent samples t-test.
Correlation Between Age and Christian Service Hours
A Pearson correlation analysis confirmed a strong positive relationship between age and
Christian service hours (r = 0.767, p < 0.001). Therefore, we reject the null hypothesis (H₀) and
accept the alternative hypothesis (H₁), concluding that age is significantly related to Christian
service hours. Results are shown in Table 3 and Figures 3 and 4 (scatterplots).
Table 3. Correlation of Age and Christian Service Hours
Correlations
Age
(Years)
Hrs. per
Year
Age (Years) Pearson
Correlation
1 .767**
Sig. (2-tailed) <.001
N 79 79
Hrs. per
Year
Pearson
Correlation
.767** 1
Sig. (2-tailed) <.001
N 79 79
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
The scatterplots illustrate the relationship between age and Christian service hours for
male (Figure 3) and female (Figure 4) participants. Both scatterplots display a strong positive
correlation, confirming that older individuals dedicate more time to Christian service.
Figure 3. Scatterplot of Age and Christian Service Hours for Male Participants
Figure 4. Scatterplot of Age and Christian Service Hours for Female Participants
Gender Comparison Analysis
An independent samples t-test was conducted to determine whether there was a
significant difference in Christian service hours between males and females. The results
indicated no significant difference (t(77) = 0.308, p = 0.759). Therefore, we fail to reject the null
hypothesis (H₀), suggesting that gender does not significantly impact Christian service hours.
Results are shown in Table 4.
Observed Value
300280260240220200180
3
2
1
0
-1
-2
Normal Q-Q Plot of H rs. per Year
for Gender= Male
Observed Value
300280260240220200180
3
2
1
0
-1
-2
-3
Normal Q-Q Plot of Hrs. per Year
for Gender= Female
Table 4. Results of Independent Samples t-Test for Male and Female Christian Service Hours
Independent Samples Test
Levene's Test for Equality of
Variances
t-test for Equality of
Means
F Sig. t df
Hrs. per
Year
Equal variances assumed .515 .475 .308 77
Equal variances not
assumed
.311 76.994
Discussion
The findings of this study highlight the significant impact of age on Christian service
involvement. The strong positive correlation between age and service hours (r = 0.767, p <
0.001) suggests that as individuals age, their commitment to Christian service increases. This
trend aligns with previous research indicating that older adults tend to engage more in religious
and service-oriented activities due to increased availability of time and a stronger sense of
religious commitment.
The absence of a significant difference in service hours between males and females
(t(77) = 0.308, p = 0.759) suggests that gender does not play a substantial role in determining
Christian service involvement. While some prior studies have suggested that women are more
likely to engage in religious activities, this study's findings indicate that, at least in terms of
service hours, both genders contribute similarly. This finding may be due to shifting social
dynamics or the increasing encouragement for both genders to engage equally in community
service.
One limitation of this study is the use of convenience sampling, which may limit
generalizability. Future research should employ random or stratified sampling methods to
obtain a more representative sample. Additionally, future studies could explore other factors
that influence Christian service involvement, such as religious upbringing, socioeconomic status,
or personal motivation.
Another area for further investigation is the role of denominational affiliation. Different
Christian denominations emphasize service differently, and understanding these distinctions
could provide deeper insights into service participation patterns.
Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the relationship between age, gender,
and Christian service involvement. The findings suggest that while age is a significant predictor
of service hours, gender is not. Future studies should further investigate the underlying factors
that drive Christian service participation beyond demographic characteristics.
References
1. Li S, Okereke OI, Chang SC, Kawachi I, VanderWeele TJ. Religious-service attendance and
subsequent health and well-being throughout adulthood: Evidence from three
prospective cohorts. Int J Epidemiol. 2020;49(6):2030-2040. doi:10.1093/ije/dyaa180
2. Hill TD, Rote SM, Ellison CG. Age changes in religious service attendance in Mexican
American older adults. J Aging Health. 2023;35(1):21-41.
doi:10.1177/08982643221117564
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