Religiosity and happiness: evidences from the Philippines
Date
2010-10-08
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Abstract
This paper shows the effects of religion and religiosity and other demographic factors on the level of happiness of Filipinos. It also aims to determine the role religion plays or contributes in the lives of the Filipinos and its role in magnifying or dampening happiness. Religion in the Philippines holds a central place in the life of the majority of Filipinos. Interestingly, despite all the economic, political, cultural and social changes that this country has experienced, religion has survived unlike other social institution. Religion must have created social benefits which generate utility or happiness for Filipinos to pursue it. This study is a cross-sectional study of the nationwide survey by SWS during the second quarter of 2004 to determine whether religiosity makes people happier, while controlling for socio-demographic and economic factors like education, health and family matters.
The main conclusion shows that there seems to be a positive linear relationship between religiosity and happiness. Our findings also reflect that higher income might also lead to higher happiness. In addition, Filipino Muslims seem to be less happy and Filipinos in Visayas are relatively happier than the rest.
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Religiosity, Happiness, Subjective well-being, Quality of life, Religious practice