Higher unemployment is associated with more time spent on religious activities, while economic growth has a smaller effect. The model found that for every 1% increase in the unemployment rate, time spent on religious activities increases by 0.46 minutes per day, and for every 1% increase in GDP growth, religious activity time rises by 0.03 minutes daily. However, GDP growth was not a statistically significant predictor of religious participation.

1. WILL PRAY FOR WORK:
HOW THE ECONOMY AFFECTS RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY
Nathan Waters & James Wiltbank

2. O U R D A T A • Panel Data
• Variables
• Year: the year (2003 – 2013)
• Statefip: 50 states & District of Columbia
• Relact*: Minutes per day spent on religious
activities
• Unem: State unemployment rate (%) for
corresponding year
• Gdpgrowth: Percentage change in state GDP
from previous year
*Religious and spiritual activities. Religious activities include those normally associated with membership in
or identification with specific religions or denominations, such as attending religious services; participating in
choirs, youth groups, orchestras, or unpaid teaching (unless identified as volunteer activities); and engaging in
personal religious practices, such as praying.

3. O U R M O D E L
(relactt) = β0 – β1(gdpgrowtht) + β2(unemt) + ei
• Considered:
 Log Variables
 Lag Variables
 Detrend

4. (relactt) = 9.5918 + .0318(gdpgrowtht) + .4648(unemt) + ei
O U R R E S U L T S
• Unem: For every 1% increase in the unemployment rate; Time spent on religious activities
increases by .46 minutes/day holding all else constant
• GDPgrowth: For every 1% of growth in GDP from the previous year; Time spent on religious
activities increases by .03 minutes/day holding all else constant
• P>|t| 0.764 > 0.05
• Not significant at the 95% level

5. D I A G N O S T I C T E S T S

6. D I A G N O S T I C T E S T S C O N T .
-100102030
Residuals
0 10 20 30 40
(mean) relact