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Religious Practice and Life Satisfaction: A Domains-of-Life Approach

Author

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  • Mariano Rojas

    (Universidad Internacional de La Rioja & ITSM)

  • Karen Watkins-Fassler

    (Universidad Internacional de La Rioja & ITSM)

Abstract

Research on the relationship between religious practice and life satisfaction usually points to the existence of a positive association; with spiritual and social networks in the congregation being considered as important aspects intervening in the relationship. This paper follows a domains-of-life approach to provide insight into the relationship between religious practice and life satisfaction; seven domains of life are considered: Family, Friends, Economic, Free time, Health, Occupation, and Spiritual. By following a domains-of-life approach it is possible to consider how this association takes place through many facets in a person’s life. The methodology allows mapping out the links between religious practice and life satisfaction; in fact, the relationship between religious practice and life satisfaction depends on the importance each domain has in explaining life satisfaction, as well as on the role religious practice plays in explaining domain satisfaction. Empirical research relies on information from a representative survey of the adult non-Hispanic white population in the United States. It is shown that the most important link between religious practice and life satisfaction takes place through the economic domain, followed by the spiritual and family domains of life. The friendship, occupation, and health domains have a minor but statistically significant role.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariano Rojas & Karen Watkins-Fassler, 2022. "Religious Practice and Life Satisfaction: A Domains-of-Life Approach," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(5), pages 2349-2369, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:23:y:2022:i:5:d:10.1007_s10902-022-00510-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-022-00510-9
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    2. Sebastián Rodríguez & Pablo Cabrera-Barona, 2024. "A machine learning-based assessment of subjective quality of life," Journal of Computational Social Science, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 451-467, April.
    3. Oliveira, Alessandro V.M. & Oliveira, Bruno F. & Vassallo, Moisés D., 2023. "Airport service quality perception and flight delays: Examining the influence of psychosituational latent traits of respondents in passenger satisfaction surveys," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).

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