Abstract
What is the relationship between subjective well-being (SWB) and the strength of religious beliefs? A full account of the relationship between SWB and religion must include a measure of the effects of religious beliefs. Unfortunately, the empirical happiness literature focuses on the effects of the social aspects of religious life. I measured the effects of the strength of religious beliefs by using data on the frequency of prayer. I found that stronger religious beliefs are positively correlated with SWB. According to the happiness literature, religion influences SWB by providing meaning and purpose to people's lives; stronger religious beliefs reflect a stronger influence of religion when interpreting life events.1 Studying the social aspects of religion gives only a partial understanding of its relationship to SWB; it is important study the role of religious beliefs to get a more complete understanding of religion‟s effects on well-being.
Recommended Citation
Colón-Bacó, Enrique
(2010)
"The Strength of Religious Beliefs is Important for Subjective Well-Being,"
Undergraduate Economic Review: Vol. 6:
Iss.
1, Article 11.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/vol6/iss1/11