The Correlation of Some Characteristics of Religious Identity with the Quality of Life of Persons with Disabilities

Abstract

Research on the correlation between religious identity and the quality of life of disabled persons is relatively rare and not always yielding the same results. In this paper, attempting to clarify the image of the mentioned relationship, we examine the correlation of some characteristics of religious identity with happiness and personal well-being among persons with various disabilities. An empirical study was conducted (N=684), and the results suggest that blind persons are the most religious, while the least religious are deaf persons. A positive correlation of happiness and personal well-being was found concerning intrinsic characteristics of religiosity, while some extrinsic characteristics of religiosity (declarative belonging to a religious community and the frequency of attending religious seminars) did not show a significant correlation. Faith gives the feeling of belongingness and safety and can be a resource from which disabled persons can draw the strength to cope with a disability; however, it needs to be lived and not expressed just declaratively or ritually.