Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Introduction: Positive Psychology of Religion Across Traditions and Beliefs

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Religion and Spirituality Across Cultures

Part of the book series: Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology ((CAPP,volume 9))

Abstract

This chapter introduces the current volume on the intersection of positive psychology and the psychology of religion. The chapter reviews the literature on positive psychology and the psychology of religion, finding commonalities by considering the ways in which religion and religiosity contribute to happiness and life well-lived. In considering the relation between religiosity and well-being, evidence from a diverse set of religious traditions are considered. In addition, research from different cultures and traditions are reviewed in order take into account the contributions from across the diversity of religions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abdel-Khalek, A. (2006). Happiness, health, and religiosity: Significant relations. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 9, 85–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Khalek, A. (2012). Associations between religiosity, mental health, and subjective well-being among Arabic samples from Egypt and Kuwait. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 15, 741–758.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abu-Raiya, H., Israel, S., Pargament, K. I., & Mahoney, A. (2011). Examining coping methods with stressful interpersonal events experienced by Muslims living in the United States following the 9/11 attacks. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 3, 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Addai, I., Opoku-Agyeman, C., & Amanfu, S. K. (2013). Exploring predictors of subjective well-being in Ghana: A micro-level study. Journal of Happiness Studies (Advance online publication).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ai, A. L., Huang, B., Bjork, J., & Appel, H. B. (2013). Religious attendance and major depression among Asian Americans from a national database: The mediation of social support. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 5, 78–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alavi, H. R. (2007). Correlatives of happiness in the university students of Iran: A religious approach. Journal of Religion and Health, 46, 480–499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ano, G. G., & Vasconcelles, E. B. (2005). Religious coping and psychological adjustment to stress: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 61, 461–480.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ariyabuddhiphongs, V. (2009). Buddhist belief in merit (punña), Buddhist religiousness and life satisfaction among Thai Buddhists in Bangkok, Thailand. Archiv Für Religionspsychologie (Archive for the Psychology of Religions), 31, 191–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayten, A. (2012). How religion promotes forgiveness: The case of Turkish Muslims. Archiv Für Religionspsychologie (Archive for the Psychology of Religions), 34, 411–425.

    Google Scholar 

  • Banth, S., & Talwar, C. (2012). Anasakti, the Hindu ideal, and its relationship to well-being and orientations to happiness. Journal of Religion and Health, 51(3), 934–946.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bermant, G., Talwar, C., & Rozin, P. (2011). To celebrate positive psychology and extend its horizons. In K. M. Sheldon, T. B. Kashdan, & M. F. Steger (Eds.), Designing positive psychology: Taking stock and moving forward (pp. 430–438). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bottoms, B. L., Shaver, P. R., Goodman, G. S., & Qin, J. (1995). Religious influences on personal and societal well-being. Journal of Social Issues, 51, 85–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brodsky, A. E. (2000). The role of religion in the lives of resilient, urban, African American, single mothers. Journal of Community Psychology, 28, 199–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Büssing, A., Michalsen, A., Balzat, H., Grünther, R., Ostermann, T., Neugebauer, E. A. M., et al. (2009). Are spirituality and religiosity resources for patients with chronic pain conditions? Pain Medicine, 10, 327–339.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, C. S., & Rhodes, J. E. (2013). Religious coping, posttraumatic stress, psychological distress, and posttraumatic growth among female survivors four years after Hurricane Katrina. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 26, 257–265.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, C. S., Rhodes, J. E., & Perez, J. E. (2012). A prospective study of religiousness and psychological distress among female survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. American Journal of Community Psychology, 49, 168–181.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, C., & Yeung, J. W. (2011). Meta-analysis of relationships between religiosity and constructive and destructive behaviors among adolescents. Children and Youth Services Review, 33, 376–385.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, A. B., & Hill, P. C. (2007). Religion as culture: Religious individualism and collectivism among American Catholics, Jews, and Protestants. Journal of Personality, 75, 709–742.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, A. B., Pierce, J. D. J., Chambers, J., Meade, R., Gorvine, B. J., & Koenig, H. G. (2005). Intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity, belief in the afterlife, death anxiety, and life satisfaction in young Catholics and Protestants. Journal of Research in Personality, 39, 307–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cowchock, F. S., Lasker, J. N., Toedter, L. J., Skumanich, S. A., & Koenig, H. G. (2010). Religious beliefs affect grieving after pregnancy loss. Journal of Religious Health, 49, 485–497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dew, R. E., Daniel, S. S., Armstrong, T. D., Goldston, D. B., Triplett, M. F., & Koenig, H. G. (2008). Religion/spirituality and adolescent psychiatric symptoms: A review. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 39, 381–398.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Oishi, S., & Lucas, R. (2003). Personality, culture, and subjective well-being: Emotional and cognitive evaluations of life. Annual Review of Psychology, 54, 403–425.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Tay, L., & Myers, D. (2011). The religion paradox: If religion makes people happy, why are so many dropping out? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101, 1278–1290.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donahue, M. J. (1995). Religious influences on personal and societal well-being. Journal of Social Issues, 51, 145–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durkheim, E. (1912/1995). Elementary forms of religious life. New York: MacMillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 377–389.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Emmons, R. A., & Paloutzian, R. F. (2002). The psychology of religion. Annual Review of Psychology, 54, 344–402.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emmons, R. A., & Paloutzian, R. F. (2003). The psychology of religion. Annual Review of Psychology, 54, 377–402.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, P., Ai, A. L., Aydin, N., Frey, D., Maximilians, L., & Haslam, S. A. (2010). The relationship between religious identity and preferred coping strategies: An examination of the relative importance of interpersonal and intrapersonal coping in Muslim and Christian faiths. Review of General Psychology, 14, 365–381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Francis, L. J., Robbins, M., Santosh, R., & Bhanot, S. (2008). Religion and mental health among Hindu young people in England. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 11, 341–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frederickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fredrickson, B. L., Cohn, M. A., Coffey, K. A., Pek, J., & Finkel, S. M. (2008). Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95, 1045–1062.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freud, S. (1929/2005). Civilization and its discontents. London: Chrysoma Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furrow, J. L., King, P. E., & White, K. (2004). Religion and positive youth development: Identity, meaning, and prosocial concerns. Applied Developmental Science, 8, 17–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerber, M. M., & Adriel Schuettler, B. (2011). The unique contributions of positive and negative religious coping to posttraumatic growth and PTSD. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 3, 298–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geschwind, N., Peeters, F., Drukker, M., van Os, J., & Wichers, M. (2011). Mindfulness training increases momentary positive emotions and reward experience in adults vulnerable to depression: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 79, 618–628.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gorsuch, R. L. (1995). Religious influences on personal and societal well-being. Journal of Social Issues, 51, 65–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hackney, C. H., & Sanders, G. S. (2003). Religiosity and mental health: A meta-analysis of recent studies. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 42, 43–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, J. I., Erbes, C. R., Engdahl, B. E., Olson, R. H., Winskowski, A. M., & McMahill, J. (2008). Christian religious functioning and trauma outcomes. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64, 17–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, P., & Argyle, M. (1998). Positive moods derived from leisure and their relationship to happiness and personality. Personality and Individual Differences, 25, 523–535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, P. C., Pargament, K., Hood, R. W., McCullough, M. E., Swyers, J., Larson, D. B., et al. (2000). Conceptualizing religion and spirituality: Points of commonality, points of departure. Journal for the Theory of Social Behavior, 30, 51–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunsburger, B., & Wilfrid, L. U. (1995). Religious influences on personal and societal well-being. Journal of Social Issues, 51, 113–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • James, W. (1901–1902/2002). The varieties of religious experience. New York: Dover.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jasperse, M., Ward, C., & Jose, P. E. (2012). Identity, perceived religious discrimination, and psychological well-being in Muslim immigrant women. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 61, 250–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalkstein, S., & Tower, R. B. (2009). The daily spiritual experiences scale and well-being: Demographic comparisons and scale validation with older Jewish adults and a diverse internet sample. Journal of Religion and Health, 48, 402–417.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim-Prieto, C., & Diener, E. (2009). Religion as a source of variation in the experience of positive and negative emotions. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4, 447–460.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, P. E., & Furrow, J. L. (2004). Religion as a resource for positive youth development: Religion, social capital, and moral outcomes. Developmental Psychology, 40, 703–713.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, L., & Napa, C. (1998). What makes a good life? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 75, 156–165.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krause, N., Ellison, C. G., Shaw, B. A., Marcum, J. P., & Boardman, J. D. (2001). Church based social support and religious coping. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 40, 637–665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lawler, K. A., Younger, J. W., Piferi, R. L., Billington, E., Jobe, R., Edmondson, K. A., et al. (2005). The unique effects of forgiveness on health: An exploration of pathways. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 28, 157–167.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lechner, C. M., Tomasik, M. J., Silbereisen, R. K., & Wasilewski, J. (2013). Exploring the stress-buffering effects of religiousness in relation to social and economic change: Evidence from Poland. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 5, 145–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, C. A. (2002). Church attendance and happiness among Northern Irish undergraduate students: No association. Pastoral Psychology, 50(3), 191–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, C. A., & Cruise, S. M. (2006). Religion and happiness: Consensus, contradictions, comments and concerns. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 9, 213–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lun, V. M., & Bond, M. H. (2013). Examining the relation of religion and spirituality to subjective well-being across national cultures. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 5, 304–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyubomirsky, S., King, L., & Diener, E. (2005). The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychological Bulletin, 131, 803–855.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mattis, J. S. (2002). Religion and spirituality in the meaning-making and coping experiences of African American women: A qualitative analysis. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 26, 309–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCullough, M. E., & Willoughby, B. L. B. (2009). Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications. Psychological Bulletin, 135, 69–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Menagi, F. S., Harrell, Z. A., & June, L. N. (2008). Religiousness and college student alcohol use: Examining the role of social support. Journal of Religion and Health, 47, 217–226.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moussa, M. M., & Bates, G. W. (2011). A preliminary investigation of Lebanese students’ strategies for coping with stressful events. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 14, 489–510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, D. G. (2000). The funds, friends, and faith of happy people. American Psychologist, 55(1), 56–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, C. (2009). Appreciating gratitude: Can gratitude be used as a psychological intervention to improve individual well-being? Counselling Psychology Review, 24(3–4), 38–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I. (2002). The bitter and the sweet: An evaluation of the costs and benefits of religiousness. Psychological Inquiry, 13, 168–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I., & Park, C. L. (1995). Merely a defense? The variety of religious means and ends. Journal of Social Issues, 51, 13–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I., Smith, B. W., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. (1998). Patterns of positive and negative religious coping with major life stressors. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37, 710–724.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, C., Cohen, L. H., & Herb, L. (1990). Intrinsic religiousness and religious coping as life stress moderators for Catholics versus Protestants. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59, 562–574.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patel, C. J., Ramgoon, S., & Paruk, Z. (2009). Exploring religion, race and gender as factors in the life satisfaction and religiosity of young South African adults. South African Journal of Psychology, 39(3), 266–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearce, M. J., Little, T. D., & Perez, J. E. (2003). Religiousness and depressive symptoms among adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 32, 267–276.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pössel, P., Martin, N. C., Garber, J., Banister, A. W., Pickering, N. K., & Hautzinger, M. (2011). Bidirectional relations of religious orientation and depressive symptoms in adolescents: A short-term longitudinal study. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 3, 24–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Regnerus, M. D. (2003). Religion and positive adolescent outcomes: A review of research and theory. Review of Religious Research, 44, 394–413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosmarin, D. H., Pargament, K. I., & Mahoney, A. (2009). The role of religiousness in anxiety, depression, and happiness in a Jewish community sample: A preliminary investigation. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 12, 97–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 141–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rye, M. S., Folck, C. D., Heim, T. A., Olszewski, B. T., & Traina, E. (2004). Forgiveness of an ex-spouse: How does it relate to mental health following a divorce? Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 41, 31–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sahdra, B. K., MacLean, K. A., Ferrer, E., Shaver, P. R., Rosenberg, E., Jacobs, T., et al. (2011). Enhanced response inhibition during intensive meditation training predicts improvements in self-reported adaptive socioemotional functioning. Emotion, 11, 299–312.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sahraian, A., Gholami, A., Javadpour, A., & Omidvar, B. (2013). Association between religiosity and happiness among a group of Muslim undergraduate students. Journal of Religion and Health, 52(2), 450–453.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schimmel, S. (1997). The seven deadly sins: Jewish, Christian, and classical reflections on human psychology. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultz, J. M., Tallman, B. A., & Altmaier, E. M. (2010). Pathways to posttraumatic growth: The contributions of forgiveness and importance of religion and spirituality. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 2(2), 104–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shkolnik, T., Weiner, C., Malik, L., & Festinger, Y. (2001). The effect of Jewish religiosity of elderly Israelis. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 16, 201–219.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silberman, I. (2005). Religion as a meaning system: Implications for the new millennium. Journal of Social Issues, 61, 641–663.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, C. (2003). Theorizing religious effects among American adolescents. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 42, 17–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, T. B., McCullough, M. E., & Poll, J. (2003). Religiousness and depression: Evidence for a main effect and the moderating influence of stressful life events. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 614–636.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, B., Pargament, K. I., Brant, C., & Oliver, J. M. (2000). Noah revisited: Religious coping by church members and the impact of the 1993 Midwest Flood. Journal of Community Psychology, 28, 169–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Snell, P. (2009). What difference does youth group make? A longitudinal analysis of religious youth group participation outcomes. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 48, 572–587.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stavrova, O., Fetchenhauer, D., & Schlosser, T. (2013). Why are religious people happy? The effect of the social norm of religiosity across countries. Social Science Research, 42, 90–105.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steber, M. F., & Frazier, P. (2005). Meaning in life: One link in the chain from religiousness to well-being. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 574–582.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toussaint, L. L., Williams, D. R., Musick, M. A., & Everson-Rose, S. A. (2008). Why forgiveness may protect against depression: Hopelessness as an explanatory mechanism. Personality and Mental Health, 2, 89–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vilchinsky, N., & Kravetz, S. (2005). How are religious belief and behavior good for you? An investigation of mediators relating religion to mental health in a sample of Israeli Jewish students. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 44, 459–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wade, N. (2010). The faith instinct: How religion evolved and why it endures. New York: Penguin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, J. J., & Longmire-Avital, B. (2013). The impact of religious faith and internalized homonegativity on resiliency for black lesbian, gay, and bisexual emerging adults. Journal of Black Psychology, 49, 1723–1731.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waterman, A. (1993). Two conceptions of happiness: Contrasts of personal expressiveness (eudaimonia) and hedonic enjoyment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 64, 678–691.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watterson, K., & Giesler, R. B. (2012). Religiosity and self-control: When the going gets tough, the religious get self-regulating. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 4, 193–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watts, F. N. (1996). Psychological and religious perspectives on emotion. International Journal of Psychology and Religion, 6, 71–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, D. S. (2003). Darwin’s cathedral: Evolution, religion, and the nature of society. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witter, R. A., Stock, W. A., Okun, M. A., & Haring, M. J. (1985). Religion and subjective well-being in adulthood: A quantitative synthesis. Review of Religious Research, 26, 332–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wortmann, J. H., & Park, C. L. (2008). Religion and spirituality in adjustment following bereavement: An integrative review. Death Studies, 32, 703–736.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, R. (2009). The evolution of God. New York: Little, Brown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yonker, J. E., Schnabelrauch, C. A., & DeHaan, L. G. (2012). The relationship between spirituality and religiosity on psychological outcomes in adolescents and emerging adults: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Adolescence, 35, 299–314.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zinnbauer, B. J., Pargament, K., Cole, B., Rye, M. S., Butter, E. M., Belavich, T. G., et al. (1997). Religion and spirituality: Unfuzzying the fuzzy. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 36, 549–564.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, USA

    Chu Kim-Prieto

Authors
  1. Chu Kim-Prieto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chu Kim-Prieto .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, New Jersey, USA

    Chu Kim-Prieto

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kim-Prieto, C. (2014). Introduction: Positive Psychology of Religion Across Traditions and Beliefs. In: Kim-Prieto, C. (eds) Religion and Spirituality Across Cultures. Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology, vol 9. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8950-9_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation