Culture, Socio-economic Status and Religious Coping As Predictors of Happiness: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61841/k0kb0m75Keywords:
Happiness, Culture, Socio-Economic Status, Religious Coping and Muslim WomenAbstract
Happiness's importance cannot be overemphasized; this has been confirmed by many researchers and the World Happiness Report 2012–2018. As a result, factors predicting happiness have been employed by researchers and scholars in various studies on Muslim women. Thus, this study examined and found out the factors predicting happiness, such as culture, socio-economic status (SES), and religious coping, as well as identified the foremost and major predictor and research design used by these scholars. A systematic review of the literature on culture, socioeconomic status, and religious coping as predictors of happiness among Muslim women was carried out. A total number of 30 articles from different disciplines have been examined. The factors and research design found were divided into those that belong to happiness predicted by culture, by socio-economic status, by religious coping, and by culture, socio-economic status, and religious coping; happiness related to culture; happiness related to culture, socio-economic status, and religious coping; and happiness related to culture, socio-economic status, and religious coping. The research designs were quantitative, qualitative, mixed method, and systematic literature review (SLR). Quantitative research design was found to be the leading research design. The studies were also examined based on countries of study: Iran, Turkey, Palestine, Oman, Qatar, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, Algeria, Jordan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Lebanon. Iran was the leading country. But no model of happiness was found in the studies analyzed. It is hoped that findings from this study will be beneficial to Muslims in women's centers for continuing education and counselors, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (Nigeria).
Downloads
References
[1] Abdel-Khalek, A. M. (2010). Quality of life, Subjective Well-Being, and Religiosity in Muslim College
Students. Journal of Quality of Life Research, 19, 1133–1143.
[2] Abdel-Khalek, A. M. 2012 Associations Between Religiosity, Mental Health, and Subjective Well - Being
Among Arabic Samples From Egypt and Kuwait. Journal of Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 15, 741-
758
[3] Abdel-Khalek, A. M. (2013a). The Relationships Between Subjective Well-Being, Health, and Religiosity
Among Young Adults From Qatar, Journal of Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 16, 306-318
[4] Abdel-Khalek, A. M., & Lester, D. (2013b). Mental health, Subjective Well-Being and religiosity:
Significant associations in Kuwait and USA. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, (7), 63-76
[5] Abdel-Khalek, A. M. (2014). Religiosity and well-being in a Muslim context C. Kim-Prieto (Ed.), Religion
and spirituality across cultures, 71-85
[6] Abdel-Khalek, A. M. (2015) Happiness, Health, And Religiosity Among Lebanese Young Adults Journal
Cogent Psychology 2, 1.
[7] Abdel-Khalek, A.M., & Lester, D. (2017). The Association Between Religiosity, Generalized Self-Efficacy
Mental Health and Happiness in Arab College Students. Journal of Personality and Individual Difference,
109, 12-16.
[8] Abdel-Khalek, A. M., & Tekke, M. (2019). The Association Between Religiosity, Well-Being, And Mental
Health Among College Students From Malaysia. Revista Mexicana De Psicología, 36(1), 5-16.
[9] Abdel-Khalek, A.M., & Singh, A. P. (2019). Love Of Life, Happiness, And Religiosity In Indian College
Students. Journal Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 22(8), 769-778.
[10] Adegboye, M. (2016). Socio-economic Status Categories of Rural Dwellers in Northern Nigeria. Advances
in Research, 7(2), 1–10.
[11] Abde, A. N. Y., & Salih, K. (2015). The Literature of Happiness “With Reference Of The Philosophy Of
Happiness In Islam” Journal Of Islamic Studies And Culture, 3 2, 179-194
[12] Abu Rahim, M. A. R. (2013). The Effect of Life Satisfaction and Religiosity on Happiness among Post
Graduates in Malaysia. Journal Of Humanities And Social Science, 11(1), 34-38.
[13] Achour, M., Mohd Nor, M. S., & MohdYusoff, M. Y. Z. (2015). Islamic Personal Religiosity as a Moderator of Job Strain and Employee‟s Well-Being: The Case of Malaysian Academic and Administrative Staff. Journal of Religious Health, 54, 984–997.
[14] Adam, Z. (2016). Stress, Religious Coping and Well-being in Acculturating Muslims. Journal of Muslim
Mental Health, 10(2), 1-11.
[15] Aflakseir, A., & Mahdiyar, M. (2016). The Role Of Religious Coping Strategies In Predicting Depression
Among A Sample Of Women With Fertility Problems In Shiraz. Journal Of Reproduction And Infertility,
17(2), 117–122.
[16] Agbo, A.A., Nzeadibe, T. C., & Ajaero, C. K. (2012). Happiness in Nigeria: A Socio-Cultural Analysis,.
Happiness Across Cultures. Dordrecht: Springer, (In: H. Selin & G. Davey (Eds.), 293–310.
[17] Ali, S. M., & Haq, R. ul. (2006). Women‟s Autonomy and Happiness:The Case of Pakistan. The Pakistan
Development Review, 45(1), 121–136.
[18] Ateca-Amestoy, V., Gerstenblu¨th, M., Mussio, I., & Rossi, M. (2015). How Do Cultural Activities
Influence Happiness? Investigating The Relationship Between Self-Reported Well-Being And Leisure.
Estudios Econ´omicos, 31(2), 217-234
[19] Arthur, B. (2012). Personality, Religion and Character Traits : Are Personality Traits Better Predictors of
Happiness than Religiosity ? DBS School of Arts.
[20] Mehrdadi, A., Sadeghian, S., Direkvand-moghadam, A., & Hashemian, A. (2016). Factors Affecting
Happiness : A Cross-Sectional Study in the Iranian Youth. Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 10(5), 29–31.
[21] Bajwa, R. S., Bibi, H., & Ali, H. (2016). Level of Happiness and Life Satisfaction among Married and
Unmarried Females Unmarried Females. South Asian Journal of Banking and Social Sciences,
02(November), 1–7.
[22] Bayani, A. A. (2014). The Relationship between Religiosity and Happiness among Students in an Iranian
University. Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 22 (3): 709 - 716
[23] Bonelli, R., Dew, R. E., Koenig, H. G., Rosmarin, D. H., & Vasegh, S. (2012). Religious and Spiritual
Factors in Depression : Review and Integration of the Religious and Spiritual Factors in Depression :
Review and Integration of the Research.
[24] Bergsman, A.& Ardelt, M. (2012). Self-Reported Wisdom and Happiness: An Empirical Investigation.
Journal of Happiness Study 13(3), 1-19.
[25] Bahiraei, S., Eftekharei, S., Zarei Matin, H, & Soloukdar, A. Studying the Relationship and Impact of
Personality on Happiness among Successful Students and Other Students. Journal of Basic Applied Science
Research, 4(2) 3636-3641.
[26] Deaton, B. A., & Stone, A. A. (2013). Two Happiness Puzzles. American Economic Review, 103(3), 591–
597.
[27] Campante, F. R., & Yanagizawa-Drott, D. H. (2013). Does Religion Affect Economic Growth And
Happiness" Evidence From Ramadan. National Bureau Of Economic Research Working Paper Series,
Working Paper 19768.
[28] Casale, D., & Posel, D. (2010). Investigating The Well-Being Of Rural Women In South Africa. In Agenda
(Vol. 84).
[29] Chen, L. (2017). Understanding Critical Thinking In Chinese Sociocultural Contexts: A Case Study In A
Chinese College. Thinking Skills And Creativity, 24, 140–151. h
[30] Ghaffari. A., & Çiftçi, A. (2010). Religiosity and Self-Esteem of Muslim Immigrants to the United States:
The Moderating Role of Perceived Discrimination. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion
20(1), 14-25.
[31] Clemons, M. L. (2018). Relationship Between Authentic Happiness And Servant Leadership Among
College Professors in Midwestern State. Liberty University.
[32] Conceicao, Pedro & Bandura, R. (2008). Measuring Subjective Wellbeing : A Summary Review of the
Literature Measuring Subjective Wellbeing : A Summary Review of the Literature By Pedro Conceição and
Romina Bandura. In UNDP.
[33] Cornish, M. A., & Wade, N. G. (2010). Spirituality and Religion in Group Counseling: A Literature
Review With Practice Guidelines. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41(5), 398–404.
[34] Cornish, M. A., Wade, N. G., Tucker, J. R., & Post, B. C. (2014). When Religion Enters the Counseling Group. The Counseling Psychologist, 42(5), 578–600.
[35] Deavoe., & House, (2012). Time, Money and Happiness. How Does Putting A Price On Time Affect Our Ability To Smell The Roses. Journal of Experiemental Social Psychology. 48, 466-474.
[36] Diener, E., Oishi, S., & Lucas, R. E. (2003). Personality, Culture, And Subjective W Ell-Being : Emotional and Cognitive Evaluations of Life. (December 2015).
[37] Francis, L. J., & Robbins, M. (2014). Religion and Happiness: a Study among Female Undergraduate Students in Israel. In IJJER International Journal of Jewish Education Research.
[38] Grant M., & Booth, A. (2009) A Typology Of Reviews: An Analysis Of 14 Review Types And Associated
Methodologies. Journal of Health Information Library, 26, 91–108
[39] Grossoehme, Daniel, H., Ragsdale, Judy., Cotton, S., & Wooldridge, Jamie L, Grimes, L. & S. M. (2010).
HHS Public Access. Journal of Health Care Chaplain, 16(0), 109–122.
[40] Hartman, D. (2016).Spirituality and Happiness of English-Speaking South African School Children: A
Psychometric Analysis of Spirituality and Well-Being Instruments.Unpublished Thesis, School of
Education, Seattle Pacific University
[41] Hasnain, N., Ansari, S. A., & Sethi, S. (2011). Life Satisfaction and Self Esteem in Married and Unmarried
Working Women. 37(2), 2011.
[42] Hofstede, G., & Bond, M. H. (2007). Hofstede‟s Culture Dimensions. Journal of Cross-Cultural
Psychology, 15(4), 417–433.
[43] Jalali, Z., & Heidari, A. (2016). The Relationship between Happiness, Subjective Well-Being, Creativity
and Job Performance of Primary School Teachers in Ramhormoz City. International Education Studies,
9(6), 45–52.
[44] Joseph, V. I. (2016). Relationships Among Parents ’ Educational Level, Income, Academic Adjustment And
Performance Of Senior Secondary School Students In Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria By Victoria Imoniche
Joseph Ba. Ed English ( Abu ) Department Of Educational Psychology And. Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria.
[45] Khan, A., et al. (2020). Mediating Effect of Positive Psychological Strength and Study Skills on
Examination Anxiety among Nigerian College Students. Sustainability, 12, 1479.
[46] Khan, A. (2013). Predictors of Positive Psychological Strengths and Subjective Well-being among North
Indian Adolescents: Role of Mentoring and Educational Encouragement. Social Indicators Research, 114,
3, 1285-1293.
[47] Kim, Y., & Seidlitz, L. (2002). Spirituality Moderates The Effect Of Stress On Emotional And Physical
Adjustment. Personality And Individual Differences, 32, 1377–1390.
[48] Kitchenham, B. (2004) “Procedures for Performing Systematic Reviews”, Joint Technical Report Software
Engineering Group, Keele University, United Kingdom and Empirical Software Engineering, National ICT
Australia Ltd, Australia.
[49] Lawal, Zainab, I. (2017). Relationship between Self-Concept, Vocational Preference and Educational
Needs of Married Women, in Women Centre for Continuing Education. Usmanu Danfodiyo University
Sokoto.
[50] Francis, L. J., Hans-george, Z., Christopher, L. A. (2003). The Relationship Between Religion and
Happiness Among German Students Pastoral Psychology, 51 (4), 273-281.
[51] Francis, L. J., & Robbins, M. (2014). Religion And Happiness: A Study Among Female Undergraduate
Students In Israel. IJJER International Journal of Jewish Education Research 7, 77-92
[52] Lucas, R. E., Clark, A. E., & Diener, E. (2003). Reexamining Adaptation and the Set Point Model of
Happiness : Reactions to Changes in Marital Status. 84(3), 527–539.
[53] Mamoudou, H. (2013). The Influence Of Students ’ Perceived Happiness On Their Entrepreneurial
Intention At A Higher Educational Institution In South Africa. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
[54] Mcbride, M. (2010). Happiness, And Aspirations : An Experimental Study. Journal Of Economic Behavior
And Organization, 74(3), 262–276.
[55] McGrath, Daniel, H. (2011). Effects Of Personality And Situation Upon Appraisal And Coping (Marshall
University). Retrieved From Http://Mds.Marshall.Edu/Etd
[56] United Nations, (UN). (2010). Human Development Report 2010 The Real Wealth of Nations : Pathways to
Human Development.
[57] Ngamaba, K. H., & Soni, D. (2018). Are Happiness and Life Satisfaction Different Across Religious Groups ? Exploring Determinants of Happiness and Life Satisfaction. Journal of Religion and Health, 57(6), 2118–2139.
[58] Oishi, S., & Gilbert, E. A. (2016). Current and Future Directions in Culture and Happiness Research. Current Opinion in Psychology, 8, 54–58.
[59] Oishi, S., Kesebir, S., & Diener, E. (2011). Income Inequality and Happiness. Psycholigical Science, 22(9), 1–6.
[60] Oishi, G. and K. (2013). Concepts of Happiness Across Time and Cultures. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
[61] Oishi, S. (2018). Culture and Subjective Well-Being : Conceptual and Measurement Issues. In Handbook of Well-Beingeing (In E. Dien, pp. 1–15). Salt Lake City: DEF Publishers.
[62] Oishi, S., & Diener, E. (2013). Residents of Poor Nations Have a Greater Sense of Meaning in Life Than
Residents of Wealthy Nations. Association for Psychological Science, 25(2), 422–430.
[63] Oishi, S., Graham, J., Kesebir, S., & Galinha, I. C. (2013). Concepts of Happiness Across Time and
Cultures. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, XX(X), 1–19.
[64] Oishi, S., Kesebir, S., & Diener, E. (2011). Income Inequality and Happiness. Psycholigical Science, 22(9),
1–6.
[65] Okwaraji, F. E., Nduanya, C. U., Okorie, A., & Okechukwu, H. E. (2017). Personality Traits, Happiness
And Life Satisfaction, In A Sample Of Nigerian Adolescents. Journal of Medical Science, 3(6), 284–289.
[66] Oman, D., Shapiro, S. L., & Thoresen, C. E. (2008). Meditation Lowers Stress and Supports Forgiveness
Among College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of American College Health, 56(5),
569–578.
[67] Paloutzian, R. F., & Park, C. L. (2015). Religiousness and Spirituality : The Psychology of Multilevel
Meaning-Making Behaviour. Religion, Brain and Behaviour, 5(2), 166–178.
[68] Pargament, K., Feuille, M., & Burdzy, D. (2011). The Brief RCOPE: Current Psychometric Status of a
Short Measure of Religious Coping. Journal of Religions, 2, 51–76.
[69] Pettigrew, E. J. (2009). A Study of the Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Student Achievement in a Rural
East Tennessee School System (East Tennessee State University). Retrieved from
[70] Pogosyan, M. (2016). Psychology Today Emotion Perception Across Cultures. Psychology Today, pp. 1–6.
[71] Hossain, M.Z., & Rizvi, M. A. K. (2016). Relationship Between Religious Belief And Happiness In Oman:
A Statistical Analysis Journal On Mental Health, Religion And Culture 19, 7, 781-790
[72] Reutter, K. K., & Bigatti, S. M. (2014). Religiosity and Spirituality as Resiliency Resources : Moderation,
Mediation, or Moderated Mediation ? Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 53(1), 56–72.
[73] Sargent, A. M. (2015). Moderation And Mediation Of The Spirituality And Subjective Well-Being Relation.
Unpublished Ph.D Thesis, Department of Psychology, Colorado State University
[74] Schofield, K. (2017). The Importance Of Cultural Happiness. Orient Magazine.
[75] Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish. : New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
[76] Seligman, M. E. P., (2018). PERMA And The Building Blocks Of Well-Being PERMA And The Building
Blocks Of Well-Being. The Journal Of Positive Psychology, 9760, 1–3.
[77] Shek, D. T. L. (1995). Gender Differences in Marital Quality and Well-Being in Chinese Married Adults.
Sex Roles, 32(11/12), 699–715.
[78] Sheldon, K. M., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2006). Achieving Sustainable Gains In Happiness: Change Your
Actions, Not Your Circumstances. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7(1), 55–86.
[79] Shin, D. C & Johnson, D. M. (1978). Relationships Between Various Demographic, Sociological,
Psychological And Behavioral Characteristics And Self-Assessments Of Happiness. Social Indicators
Research, 5, 475–492.
[80] Singh, M. (2010). College Students’ Percieved Happiness and Involvement in Stress, Social Connections
and Spirituality. University of Cincinnati.
[81] Sithey G, Li, M., Wen, L. M., Kelly, P.J.,& Clarke, K. (2015). Socioeconomic, Religious, Spiritual And
Health Factors Associated With Symptoms Of Common Mental Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Secondary
Analysis Of Data From Bhutan‟s Gross National Happiness Study, BMJ Open, 10, 1-10.
[82] Smitt, D. S. (2015). Feeling Good Around the Globe : How to Compare Wellbeing among Populations.
Uppsala University.
[83] Sooky, Z., Dehghani, M., Taebi, M., Tagharrobi, Z., Sharifi, K., Sadat, Z., & Keramat, A. (2014).
Investigating Happiness and its Related Factors in Married Women Referred to Health Centers of Shahroud
City. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 16(9), 1–6.
[84] Steptoe, A. (2019). Happiness and Health. Annual Review of Public Health, 40, 339-359.
[85] Stevenson, B., Wolfers, J., & Stevenson, B. (2009). The Paradox of Declining Female Happiness The Paradox of Declining Female Happiness. IZA Discussion Paper, (4200), 1–49.
[86] Tabatabaeilotfi, M. (2016). Poverty, Stress, And Happiness: Examining The Moderating Role Of Psychological Capital On The Relation Between Poverty And Happiness Among Farmers And Fish Farmers In Ghana, McMaster University Ghana.
[87] Talebzadeh, F., & Samkan, M. (2011). An Evaluation of the Factors Influencing Happiness Among Female Students of Elementary Schools in Tehran 5. 441-444.
[88] Tahir L, Mohd Said, MNH., Daud, K, Vazhathodi, SH, Khan A. (2014). The Benefits of Headship
Mentoring: An Analysis of Malaysian Novice Head teachers‟ Perceptions. Educational Management
Administration & Leadership, 44, 420-450.
[89] Tiliouine, H., Cummins, R.A., & Dave, M. 2009. Islamic Religiosity, Subjective Well-Being, And Health.
Journal Mental Health, Religion & Culture 12(1), 55-74.
[90] Tay, L., Batz, C., & Zyphur, M. (2017). Income and Subjective Well-Being : Review, Synthesis, and Future
Research: In Diener, E, Oishi, S and Tay, L (Ed.), e-Handbook of Subjective Well-Being (pp. 1–20).
NobaScholar.
[91] Uchezuba, F. N. (2014). Effects of Marital Status and Study Habitvon the Academic Performance Among
Senior Secondary School Students of Women Centre for Continuing Education Sokoto State. Usmanu
Danfodiyo University Sokoto.
[92] Uchida, Y., & Ogihara, Y. (2012). Personal or Interpersonal Construal of Happiness : A Cultural
Psychological Perspective. Journal of Wellbeing, 2(4), 354–369.
[93] Ugwu, F. O. & Ugwu, C. (2013). Anointing Without Money : Exploring The Relationships Between
Materialism, Happiness And Daily Spiritual Experience In A Nigerian Sample. International Journal of
Asian Social Science, 3(5), 1196–1207.
[94] Vontress, C. E. (2003). Culture and Counseling. The Counseling Psychologist, 10(3), 1–9.
[95] Yakubu, U. K., Binji, M. B., & Muhammad, A. (2014). Factors Responsible For Frequent Withdrawal of Girls from Schools and Their New Enthusiasm for Re-Joining Formal Education after Years of Break : Journal of Research and Method in Education, 4(6), 18–23.
[96] Ye, D., Ng, Y. K., & Lian, Y. (2015). Culture and Happiness. Social Indicators Research, 123, 519–547.
[97] Youngblut, J., M, Brooten, D., Glaze, J., Promise T., & Changwon, Y. (2017). Parent Grief 1–13 Months After Death in Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 22(1), 77–96.
[98] Zhou, Y. (2013). A Comprehensive Study of Happiness Among Adults in China (Clemson University). Retrieved from https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/1648
[99] Zungu, T. (2016). Cultural Values and Happiness of Leaders in Mining Company: Implications for Diversity and Inclusion. University of KwaZulu-Natal.
[100] Zurawski, J. (2015). Abstract Internet Usage, Self-Efficacy, And Proactive Coping Skills. California State University.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2020 AUTHOR
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
