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Religiosity and subjective well-being

an international perspective

Louis TayMiao LiDavid B. Myers Ed Diener

pp. 163-175

Abstract

To what extent does religiosity relate to subjective well-being (SWB) across the world? We review empirical evidence from both Western and non-Western nations and it points to a pan-cultural positive relation between religiosity and SWB. Using a multilevel perspective, we propose psychological and social mechanisms for this process: at the individual level, religiosity fulfills needs; at the national level, collective religiosity can enhance pro-social behaviors. Recent research also points to contextual effects of religiosity. National religiosity can serve as a buffer to SWB against difficult life circumstances; it can also augment personal religiosity effects on SWB. Future research directions on religiosity and SWB are discussed.

Publication details

Published in:

Kim-Prieto Chu (2014) Religion and spirituality across cultures. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 163-175

DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-8950-9_9

Full citation:

Tay Louis, Li Miao, Myers David B., Diener Ed (2014) „Religiosity and subjective well-being: an international perspective“, In: C. Kim-Prieto (ed.), Religion and spirituality across cultures, Dordrecht, Springer, 163–175.