The relationship between religiosity and religious spirituality on subjective well-being

Psychological literature in the research area of religion and well-being emphasizes the social dimension of religion, religiosity expressed as participation in organized public religious activities, to have the greatest effect on well-being. However, 2007 Gallup Poll data suggests that the personal dimension of religion, religiosity in the form of non-organized private religious practices and spirituality, may have a compensatory effect on this relationship. The present study explored the relationship between religiosity and religious spirituality on well-being by determining, (a) if religious variables are correlated with subjective well-being, and (b) which religious variable is a better predictor of subjective well-being. The study utilized a quantitative non-experimental research design. Adults in Montgomery County Maryland were surveyed and assessed with the Social Readjustments Rating Scale, the Satisfaction With Life Scale, subscales for organized and non-organized religiosity from the Duke Religiosity Index, and the Religious Well-Being scale. Organized religiosity was found to be the only religious measure significantly correlated to subjective well-being ( p = .02) and it was also predictive of subjective well-being ( p < .05). Findings supported the theoretical framework that religion's benefits are grounded in the social dimension of religion. Future research in the field of religion and well-being would benefit from studies examining combinations and degrees of religious integration and their relationship on well-being. It is also recommended that researchers consider additional non-religious variables that support coping in their study on religion and its effect on well-being.