Subjective well-being and religiosity: a cross-sectional study with adolescents, young and middle-age adults

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between religiosity and subjective well-being (SWB) as assessed with the Oxford Happiness Inventory, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, Love of Life Scale, and the self-rating scales of happiness, physical health, mental health, and religiosity among Muslims. Three cross-sectional samples of Kuwaiti Muslim adolescents, college students, and middle aged were recruited (N = 1420). Sex-related differences were significant on SWB variables favouring men in general. All the correlations between the SWB variables were significant and positive as well as the SWB-religiosity associations. A high-loaded factor of “SWB and religiosity” was extracted among all the six groups as well as the total sample. It was concluded that religiosity is an important element in the lives of the majority of the present Kuwaiti samples during three age stages. Based on the present results, those who consider themselves as religious were enjoying SWB.

Keywords:

• subjective well-being
• religiosity
• adolescents
• adults
• Muslims
• Kuwait

Acknowledgement

The author is thankful to the Editor-in-Chief of this periodical as well as the Editorial Board and reviewers for their valuable comments on this article.