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Personality roots of well-being, religiosity, and its handmaiden—virtue

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Abstract

Intensive and comprehensive personality studies of healthily developing men and women reveal that well-being's component physical and mental health and happiness are highly intercorrelated. Health and happiness are reliably related to success and fulfillment in an adult's various roles. However, traditional measures of religiosity are related neither to well-being nor to measures of adults' success and fulfillment in their principal roles. When religion is defined in terms of ethical values, then it powerfully predicts success and well-being. Androgyny, especially stereotypic feminine interpersonal strengths, and psychological maturity are the most powerful predictors of an adult's well-being, success, and virtue.

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He was formerly Research Consultant to the Academy of Religion and Mental Health.

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Heath, D.H. Personality roots of well-being, religiosity, and its handmaiden—virtue. J Relig Health 32, 237–251 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00990951

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