Religion and human flourishing

Alexandra S. Wormley; Carley Vornlocher; Eric Y. Aglozo; Eranda Jayawickreme; Kathryn A. Johnson; Jordan W. Moon; Patty Van Cappellen; Apoorva Verma; Adam B. Cohen

doi:10.1080/17439760.2023.2297208

Religion and human flourishing

Alexandra S. Wormley, Carley Vornlocher, Eric Y. Aglozo, Eranda Jayawickreme, Kathryn A. Johnson, Jordan W. Moon, Patty Van Cappellen, Apoorva Verma, Adam B. Cohen

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Can religion promote human flourishing? Existing research says yes. However, this work has largely been done within ‘WEIRD’ and Christian contexts. Might the reasons why or the answer be different elsewhere? Here, we outline how religion can contribute to flourishing among individuals and cultures using a cross-cultural approach. In five sections, we cover how religion and culture shape meaning in life, character/virtue, positive emotion, social relationships, and physical/mental health. We emphasize how little these relationships have been studied around the world and why the relationship between religion and flourishing, especially, would be aided by a cross-cultural look. We close with future directions in the study of religion and flourishing, with special attention to how and why this relationship may vary across cultural and religious groups.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	43-58
Number of pages	16
Journal	Journal of Positive Psychology
Volume	20
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2023.2297208
State	Published - 2025

Keywords

Flourishing
cross-cultural
global perspectives
religion
well-being

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Psychology

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10.1080/17439760.2023.2297208

Cite this

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title = "Religion and human flourishing",

abstract = "Can religion promote human flourishing? Existing research says yes. However, this work has largely been done within {\textquoteleft}WEIRD{\textquoteright} and Christian contexts. Might the reasons why or the answer be different elsewhere? Here, we outline how religion can contribute to flourishing among individuals and cultures using a cross-cultural approach. In five sections, we cover how religion and culture shape meaning in life, character/virtue, positive emotion, social relationships, and physical/mental health. We emphasize how little these relationships have been studied around the world and why the relationship between religion and flourishing, especially, would be aided by a cross-cultural look. We close with future directions in the study of religion and flourishing, with special attention to how and why this relationship may vary across cultural and religious groups.",

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AU - Vornlocher, Carley

AU - Aglozo, Eric Y.

AU - Jayawickreme, Eranda

AU - Johnson, Kathryn A.

AU - Moon, Jordan W.

AU - Van Cappellen, Patty

AU - Verma, Apoorva

AU - Cohen, Adam B.

PY - 2025

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Religion and human flourishing

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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