The Relationship Between Religious/Spiritual Beliefs and Subjective Well-Being: A Case-Based Comparative Cross-National Study

Abstract

The most unique aspect of religiosity/spirituality (R/S), supernatural beliefs, and their relationship with SWB has hardly been examined. This study explores the relationship between six R/S supernatural beliefs and SWB, in a case-based comparative cross-national design including two religious and two secular nations. Data were obtained from the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) Religion IV module from the religious countries of the USA (n = 1060) and Turkey (n = 1353) and the secular countries of Denmark (n = 1281) and Czech Republic (n = 1112). SWB was measured as happiness and self-rated health. Statistical analyses were performed using binary logistic regression models replicated across countries. Results indicated that the American sample showed no evidence of relationships between R/S and SWB outcomes capable of improving the model over demographic and service attendance covariates. In Turkey, some R/S beliefs were found to be statistically significantly related to SWB, with positive and negative associations with happiness. No associations were found in the secular countries. Findings were discussed in the light of previous research and interpreted from a terror management theory perspective.

Anthropology of Religion: Sighting the dynamics of sacredness

“…La religión se percibe como creencias en lo sobrenatural, afirmaciones en deidades, fuerzas, espíritus o almas de los muertos (Hossain, 2021;Pérez y Rohde, 2022;Plante et al, 2023;Van Elk, 2022;Wilt et al, 2023). Ellis (2023) explica cómo la religión tradicionalmente ha cautivado a través del factor sobrenatural, al exhortar fe y confianza en favores y promesas provenientes de entidades o fuerzas metafísicas.…”

Manevi İçerikli Gelişim Destek Programının Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu Olan Çocuk Sahibi Ebeveynlerin Umutsuzluk, Dini Başa Çıkma ve Psikolojik İyi Oluş Düzeylerine Etkisinin İncelenmesi

“…Manevi İçerikli Gelişim Destek Programı'nın otizmli çocuk sahibi ebeveynlerin umutsuzluk, dinî başa çıkma ve psikolojik iyi oluş düzeyleri üzerinde etkili olduğunu ortaya koyan bu sonuç, maneviyatı temel alan çalışmaların bireylerin umutsuzluğa ilişkin düşüncelerini azalttığı, ruhsal rahatlamalarını sağladığı, mücadele azimlerini güçlendirdiği ve psikolojik sağlıklarına destek olduğunu gösteren literatür bulgularıyla (Doğan, 1997;Cole -Pargament, 1999;Ekşi, 2001;Francis -Kalder, 2002;Yapıcı, 2007;Williams vd. 2008;Breitbart vd., 2010;Schreiber, 2011;Kızılgeçit, 2011;Rosmarin vd., 2011;Post, 2012;Ayten, 2012;Christmas -Horn, 2012;Göcen, 2013;Şirin, 2013;Kaya, 2014;Turgut, 2017;Kara, 2018;Erdal, 2019;Taşan, 2020;Karagöz, 2020;Kim, 2020;Kasapoğlu, 2022;Perez, 2022;Sharifi vd., 2023) tutarlılık göstermektedir. İlgili çalışmaların bulgularından yola çıkarak manevi içeriklerin bireylerin umutsuzluklarını azaltmaya, kriz ve belirsizlik durumlarını aşmalarına, çok güç yaşamsal durumlarda huzur ve güvenlik kaynağı bulmalarına ve çaresizlik bunalımından kurtularak yaşamlarına umutla bakabilmelerine katkı sağladığı söylenebilir.…”

Both religious and secular ethics to achieve both happiness and health: Panel data results based on a dynamic theoretical model

“…Education (EDU) and religion (REL) could provide individual-level knowledge and ethics about healthy behaviours (e.g., [1][2][3][4]). For example, religion and science suggest avoiding tobacco, alcohol and drug use; theology and philosophy provide meanings to help one cope with stress and depression.…”