Abstract

The purpose of this study on Mormon missionaries was to determine the effect of health on missionary activity time, age, sex, months in field, laboring city population, monthly mission cost, living conditions, diet, pre-existing conditions, adequacy of medical care, nativity, effectiveness, emotional health, interpersonal relationships, and motivation and enthusiasm. In addition the research attempted to ascertain the effect of the selected independent factors on ill missionary lost time.

As an outcome of the statistical analysis performed on this study's sample the following results were obtained. Respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal difficulties and orthopedic injuries were the most common health problems. Well missionaries were generally older, spent more money, had been out longer in the field and were judged in better emotional health than were ill missionaries. Ill missionaries rated the adequacy of medical care higher than their counterparts. Sex, activity time over a three month period, and laboring city population were not found to be significantly related to missionary health. The average amount of lost proselyting time per missionary over a four-month period was 9.3 hours.

Degree

College and Department

Life Sciences; Health Science

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