This comprehensive Heritage Foundation article examines the social contributions of religion in America. As such, it is primarily a study of the social impact of Christianity in the United States. At least that's my take on it. I think a quite different paper would be written concerning the impact of religion in Muslim or Hindu or Buddhist societies. Be that as it may, it looks to me like a definitive study, highly useful, and sure to please academics out there who like long, comprehensive, well-written papers laced with footnotes. (The paper has 136 footnotes).
Topics covered include the following: Religion and Marriage (divorce; marital harmony and satisfaction; cohabitation); Religion and Family Relations (mother-child relationships, father-child relationships;
domestic violence); Religion and Extra-Marital Sex (attitudes regarding non-marital sex; adolescent sexual behavior; out-of-wedlock child bearing); Religion and the Abuse of Alcohol and Drugs (cigarette use; alcohol abuse; drug abuse); Religion and Mental Health (happiness and well-being; stress, self-esteem and coping skills; depression and suicide); Religion and Physical Health, Religion and Educational Attainment, Education and Disadvantaged Youth, Religion and Community, Compassion and Charity, Violent Crime, Immigration Assimilation, Religion and At-Risk-Youth, Drug Use in Inner-City Neighborhoods, Juvenile Delinquency, Negative Outcomes, Summary and Policy Implications, What Policy Makers Should Do, Conclusion.