Soc Sci Res. 2013 Jan;42(1):90-105. doi: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2012.07.002. Epub 2012 Jul 25.
Why are religious people happy? The effect of the social norm of religiosity across countries.
Source
Department of Social and Economic Psychology, University of Cologne, Albertus-Magnus-Platz, 50923 Cologne, Germany; GK SOCLIFE, University of Cologne, Richard-Strauss-Str. 2, 50931 Cologne, Germany. Electronic address: stavrova@wiso.uni-koeln.de.
Abstract
Drawing on social norms theories, we suggest that religiosity substantially increases subjective well-being if it is considered normative in a certain national context. In Study 1, we test this hypothesis using an indicator of a country's social norm of religiosity that includes both the national level of religiosity and the social desirability of religion. The results of a multilevel regression analysis suggest that religious individuals are on average happier and more satisfied with life than non-religious individuals. This effect is stronger in religious countries with dominant negative attitudes towards non-believers. In Study 2, we further examine whether the differences in social recognition of religious and non-religious individuals in countries where religiosity is normative account for this finding. The results of a moderated mediation analysis indicate that in religious countries, religious people report being treated with more respect, which partially explains their higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction.
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