The Role of Buddhist Practices in Happiness and Health in Thailand: A Structural Equation Model

Winzer, Lylla; Gray, Rossarin Soottipong

doi:10.1007/s10902-017-9953-z

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The findings indicate the adherence to Buddhist precepts, meditation, and commitment to humanistic values endorsed by Buddhism were associated with greater level of happiness. The results are in line with previous studies (Gray et al, 2010;Winzer & Gray, 2018) and with findings from the review conducted by Koenig and colleagues (2012), in which the link between religiosity and spirituality and happiness was found to be positively correlated in almost 80% of the studies, regardless of the religion studied.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Despite these limitations, this study seems to be one among very few (Winzer & Gray, 2018) that demonstrates the relationship of religiosity and spirituality with happiness among representative samples of the Thai population, offering evidence relevant to Theravada Buddhism in Thailand's context. The fact that the results are based on two nationally representative samples provides greater confidence on the generalizability of the conclusions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…A third study found that Buddhist teachings helped caregivers of older adults to cope better with their stress levels (Gray et al, 2016). Another study showed that the commitment to Buddhist institutionalized practices (e.g., giving a donation, praying, and meditating) and the endorsement of Buddhist values in their behavior (e.g., altruism, generosity, and forgiveness) were positively linked to happiness and health in a representative sample of Thai Buddhists (Winzer & Gray, 2018).…”

Section: Definition Of Religiosity and Spirituality And Their Associamentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Even though Thailand has adopted a national policy of promoting happiness, and Thai people's behaviors and attitudes are strongly shaped by their Buddhist beliefs and teachings, there are only a few studies (Winzer & Gray, 2018) that address directly the role of religiosity and spirituality on happiness in Thailand. The present study aims to fill this gap by investigating whether religiosity and spirituality are linked to the level of happiness among Thais.…”

Section: The Present Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Religiosity, Spirituality, and Happiness in Thailand from the Perspective of Buddhism

Winzer

Samutachak

Gray

2018

JPSS

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Studies on the association between religiosity, spirituality, and happiness in the Buddhist context remain scarce despite the great number of followers of this religion around the world. Theravada Buddhism, as the dominant Buddhist sect in Thailand, has a strong influence on Thai people's attitudes, thoughts, and way of life. The purpose of this study was to explore the link between religiosity and spirituality and level of happiness among the Thais. Data were pooled from national surveys on social and cultural issues in 2008 and 2011. The samples were 25,950 and 23,671 Thai people aged 15 years or older. The results revealed frequency of religious and spiritual practices was significantly associated with greater level of happiness, even after controlling for study year, demographic factors (age, sex, and marital status), and socioeconomic factors (education and occupation). Respondents who abided by the five precepts of Buddhism and meditated on Buddhist holy days reported higher levels of happiness. Those who regularly expressed gratitude, gave an opportunity to others before oneself, and made donations were more likely to consider themselves happy compared with those who never or rarely engaged in these Buddhist-inspired practices. These findings support the idea that religiosity and spirituality play a relevant role in the level of happiness among Thai people.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Definition Of Religiosity and Spirituality And Their Associamentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: The Present Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Religiosity, Spirituality, and Happiness in Thailand from the Perspective of Buddhism

Winzer

Samutachak

Gray

2018

JPSS

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“…Second, for the oldest-old, participation in religious activities has the strongest contribution to their continuing engagement with life. The strength of this link is likely related to the context of Thailand which, as a Buddhist country, has many opportunities for older adults to make merit for themselves and their family while participating in Buddhist temple activities (Kramanon & Gray, 2015;Winzer & Gray, 2018). Finally, for both the old-old and the oldest-old, the current study indicates that receiving material support does not contribute to continuing engagement with life.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Applying the Concept of Successful Aging to Thailand

Pekalee

Ingersoll‐Dayton

Gray

et al. 2020

JPSS

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Objectives: This research aims to examine the components of Rowe and Kahn's model of successful aging as applied to the Thai population who are categorized as: young-old (60-69), old-old (70-79), and oldest-old (80 and over). Method: The study is based on the Survey of Older Persons in Thailand of the National Statistical Office, 2011 (n = 24,433). Confirmatory Factor Analysis is used to test whether Rowe and Kahn's model, which comprises three domains -avoiding disease and disability, maintaining physical and cognitive functioning, and continuing engagement with life, is confirmed by these data. Multiple group analysis is performed to determine factor loading differences among age groups. Results: Rowe and Kahn's model has a good statistical fit when applied to data of the current study. Factor loadings for three age groups is statistically different (p<0.001). Of the three domains, continuing engagement with life is the domain most strongly associated with successful aging, particularly among the old-old and the oldest-old. Implications: Programs to support health and social engagement should be promoted and enhancing active engagement should be a priority since older Thai people have low levels of social participation.

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The Scientific Study of Positive Emotions and Religion/Spirituality

Cappellen

Zhang

Fredrickson

2022

Handbook of Positive Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality

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This chapter considers the role of positive emotions in religion/spirituality. We begin by reviewing key conceptual frameworks of positive emotions (e.g., Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions) while focusing on self-transcendent positive emotions such as awe, gratitude, love, and compassion. We then review scientific research on the bidirectional relationship between religion/spirituality and positive emotions. First, we examine various pathways through which religion/spirituality promotes the experience of positive emotions. For example, research has shown that religion/spirituality is related to specific valued emotions and particular emotion-regulation strategies. In addition, religious/spiritual (R/S) practices provide the opportunity to experience positive emotions, partly through emotional embodiment. Second, we propose four effects of positive emotions related to religion/spirituality. Positive emotions support R/S beliefs, and when they are felt during R/S practices, they function as promoters of well-being, prosocial intentions and behaviors, and continued R/S practices (the Upward Spiral Theory of Sustained Religious Practice). We close by offering some applications of these findings for mental health practitioners, religious leaders, and religiously/spiritually oriented people.

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The Role of Buddhist Practices in Happiness and Health in Thailand: A Structural Equation Model

Cited by 17 publications

References 20 publications

Religiosity, Spirituality, and Happiness in Thailand from the Perspective of Buddhism

Religiosity, Spirituality, and Happiness in Thailand from the Perspective of Buddhism

Applying the Concept of Successful Aging to Thailand

The Scientific Study of Positive Emotions and Religion/Spirituality

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