One Religion, Two Tales: Religion and Happiness in Urban and Rural Areas of China

Most previous studies performed in Western social contexts have revealed that religion can influence an individual’s sense of happiness. Few studies have sought to clarify the influence of religion in a Chinese social context, however, and there has been no study specifically about the pot...

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Main Authors: Jing Hua Zhang, Wen Chi Zou, Xiao Yang Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-09-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/10/9/532
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author Jing Hua Zhang
Wen Chi Zou
Xiao Yang Jiang
author_facet Jing Hua Zhang
Wen Chi Zou
Xiao Yang Jiang
author_sort Jing Hua Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Most previous studies performed in Western social contexts have revealed that religion can influence an individual’s sense of happiness. Few studies have sought to clarify the influence of religion in a Chinese social context, however, and there has been no study specifically about the potential differences in the dichotomous social environments of urban and rural areas in China. Via the nationwide survey data of the 2007 Spiritual Life Study of Chinese Residents (SLSC), this study examines the association between religion and happiness among urban and rural residents of China. The results reveal that there is a generally positive association between religion and happiness among those with religious affiliations in China. Regardless of affiliation with Buddhism or Protestantism, there is a strong positive association among rural respondents, an insignificant association among urban respondents, and mixed results among town residents.
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spelling doaj.art-cf1072311a7849d59ea9b1057a216a222022-12-22T02:00:29ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442019-09-0110953210.3390/rel10090532rel10090532One Religion, Two Tales: Religion and Happiness in Urban and Rural Areas of ChinaJing Hua Zhang0Wen Chi Zou1Xiao Yang Jiang2School of Business, Macao University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau 999078, ChinaSchool of Business, Macao University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau 999078, ChinaSchool of Business, Macao University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau 999078, ChinaMost previous studies performed in Western social contexts have revealed that religion can influence an individual’s sense of happiness. Few studies have sought to clarify the influence of religion in a Chinese social context, however, and there has been no study specifically about the potential differences in the dichotomous social environments of urban and rural areas in China. Via the nationwide survey data of the 2007 Spiritual Life Study of Chinese Residents (SLSC), this study examines the association between religion and happiness among urban and rural residents of China. The results reveal that there is a generally positive association between religion and happiness among those with religious affiliations in China. Regardless of affiliation with Buddhism or Protestantism, there is a strong positive association among rural respondents, an insignificant association among urban respondents, and mixed results among town residents.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/10/9/532religionhappinessrural residentsurban residentsChina
spellingShingle Jing Hua Zhang
Wen Chi Zou
Xiao Yang Jiang
One Religion, Two Tales: Religion and Happiness in Urban and Rural Areas of China
Religions
religion
happiness
rural residents
urban residents
China
title One Religion, Two Tales: Religion and Happiness in Urban and Rural Areas of China
title_full One Religion, Two Tales: Religion and Happiness in Urban and Rural Areas of China
title_fullStr One Religion, Two Tales: Religion and Happiness in Urban and Rural Areas of China
title_full_unstemmed One Religion, Two Tales: Religion and Happiness in Urban and Rural Areas of China
title_short One Religion, Two Tales: Religion and Happiness in Urban and Rural Areas of China
title_sort one religion two tales religion and happiness in urban and rural areas of china
topic religion
happiness
rural residents
urban residents
China
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/10/9/532
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