A Tale of Two Experiences_A Mixed-Method Study of Religion and Happiness in the United States

• In Event: Student Forum Roundtables Session
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Roundtable 19: Culture and Civic Participation

Abstract

This study uses a mixed-method design to investigate the relationship between religious participation and psychological well-being (happiness) in a contemporary, polarized context. Quantitative analysis of 2024 GSS data (N=3,050) confirmed hypotheses that both service attendance (OR=1.04, p<.01) and non-service activities (OR=1.04, p<.01) are modestly but significantly associated with greater happiness.
Qualitative analysis of 32 semi-structured interviews was used to explore the mechanisms behind this modest statistical link. The findings reveal a "tale of two experiences." For frequent attendees (n=10), participation fosters happiness through strong "community and social connection" and a sense of "well-being" (meaning/purpose). Conversely, for infrequent attendees (n=22), these benefits are often neutralized by significant barriers, including negative past experiences and perceptions of institutional inauthenticity and politicization. The integrated findings demonstrate that the positive association between religion and happiness is conditional. The benefits are real but are primarily realized only when religion is experienced as an authentic source of community, not as a source of social pressure or division.

Author

• Mingui Gao, Purdue University