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Religion and Happiness Among Israeli Jews: Findings from the ISSP Religion III Survey

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  • Jeff Levin

Abstract

This study investigates religious predictors of happiness in a population-based sample of Israeli Jewish adults (N = 991). Using data collected in 2009–2010 as a part of the International Social Survey Programme’s Religion III Survey, analyses were conducted on a fully recursive structural model of the effects of synagogue attendance and several religious mediators on a single-item measure of happiness. Bivariately, every religious measure (synagogue attendance, prayer frequency, certainty of God beliefs, a four-item Supernatural Beliefs Scale, and subjective religiosity) is positively and significantly associated with happiness. In the structural model, 11 of 15 hypothesized paths are significant. Of these, only subjective religiosity exhibits a significant direct effect on happiness (β = 0.15, p > .01). The other four religious indicators, however, all exert indirect effects on happiness through subjective religiosity and combinations of each other. Total effects on happiness of both synagogue attendance (β = 0.10, p > .01) and the Supernatural Beliefs Scale (β = 0.12, p > .05) are statistically significant. Analyses adjust for effects of age and other sociodemographic covariates. Results build on a growing body of population-based findings supporting a salutary impact of Jewish religious observance on subjective well-being in Israel and the diaspora. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

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  • Jeff Levin, 2014. "Religion and Happiness Among Israeli Jews: Findings from the ISSP Religion III Survey," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 593-611, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:15:y:2014:i:3:p:593-611
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-013-9437-8
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    4. Jona Schellekens, 2019. "Does the association between children and happiness vary by level of religiosity? The evidence from Israel," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 41(5), pages 103-124.
    5. Leerattanakorn, Nisachon & Wiboonpongse, Aree, 2017. "Happiness and Community-Specific Factors," Asian Journal of Applied Economics, Kasetsart University, Center for Applied Economics Research, vol. 24(2), November.
    6. Cyrille Bergali Kamdem & Thierry Mamadou Asngar & Bruno Emmanuel Ongo Nkoa & Blaise Ondoua Beyene, 2025. "Cultural Diffusion and Happiness: A New Evidence in Sub Saharan Africa," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 26(5), pages 1-24, June.
    7. Hock-Eam Lim & Daigee Shaw & Pei-Shan Liao & Hongbo Duan, 2020. "The Effects of Income on Happiness in East and South Asia: Societal Values Matter?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 391-415, February.
    8. Volkan Yeniaras & Tugra Nazli Akarsu, 2017. "Religiosity and Life Satisfaction: A Multi-dimensional Approach," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(6), pages 1815-1840, December.

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