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Ritual Participation, Sense of Community, and Social Well-Being: A Study of Seva in the Sikh Community

Journal of Religion and Health volume 57, pages 2066–2078 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

The study examined the impact of frequency of ritual participation on sense of community and social well-being of a minority community in India, the Sikhs. We looked at a unique ritualistic practice of the Sikhs, seva. Rituals are known to contribute toward social solidarity and cohesion as well as physical and mental well-being. In particular for a minority community, rituals help group members establish and maintain strong community networks and a unique group identity. A total of 156 members of the Sikh community (85 males; 71 females) participated in the study. Frequency of ritual participation was positively related with social well-being and sense of community. Furthermore, sense of community was found to mediate the effect of frequency of ritual participation on social well-being. Results are discussed in the light of the importance of studying rituals in minority groups, the frequency of participation in a ritual activity and the importance of addressing social well-being in ritual research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India

    Khushbeen Kaur Sohi, Purnima Singh & Krutika Bopanna

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  1. Khushbeen Kaur Sohi
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  2. Purnima Singh
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  3. Krutika Bopanna
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Correspondence to Khushbeen Kaur Sohi.

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Sohi, K.K., Singh, P. & Bopanna, K. Ritual Participation, Sense of Community, and Social Well-Being: A Study of Seva in the Sikh Community. J Relig Health 57, 2066–2078 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0424-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0424-y

Keywords

  • Rituals
  • Sikh
  • Seva
  • Sense of community
  • Social well-being