Abstract: Using the 2010 national survey data of Chinese Women's Social Status，this articale analyses the status and determinants of the religious belif of the eldelrly in China． Results shows that the female elderly have a higher odds on religious belief than the male elderly． Importantly，middle and old － ages are the crucial transitional periods of the elderly’s religious belief，because the elderly experience more changes on family and marital relationships and other challenges during this period． Further analysis indicates that the religious propensity of the elderly are significantly affected by gender, ethnicity，educational level and other socioeconomic factors． Policy implications are discussed focusing on improving social security and social services systems，and resonably guiding the elderly on religinous belief．

Keywords: Elderly, Religion, Religious Belief

摘要： 文章利用2010 年第三期中国妇女社会地位调查的全国性数据，对中国65 岁及以上老年人宗教信仰状况及影响因素进行实证分析，对老年人宗教信仰进行诠释，揭示老年人宗教信仰的现状及影响因素，回答老年人何时、为何信仰宗教。从信仰宗教老年人的性别构成来看，女性老年人是宗教信仰的主体。通过对老年人宗教信仰时间和原因的分析发现，中年和晚年是老年人信仰宗教的高峰时期，这是因为中晚年生命历程转变时期老年人面临的疾病、家庭、婚姻、人际关系等诸多方面压力的挑战。进一步研究发现，老年人宗教信仰受性别、民族、文化程度等人口学因素、婚姻家庭、城乡地区、社会保障和社会参与等五类因素的显著影响。文章建议进一步完善社会养老服务体系，提高养老保障水平，合理引导老年人的宗教信仰。

关键词: 老年人, 宗教, 宗教信仰