New Pew Report Explores Relationship of Religion to Happiness, Health, Civic Engagement

Content Area
Religion and Families

A new Pew Research Center analysis looking at data from the United States and more than two dozen other countries found that those active in religious groups tend to be happier and more civically engaged than adults not affiliated with a religion or those who are inactive members of religious groups.

The report — "Religion's Relationship to Happiness, Civic Engagement and Health Around the World" — used three survey datasets: the World Values Survey (WVS) Wave 6 (2010-2014), the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) 2011 Health and Health Care Module, and one 2012 Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults on gender and generations. The analysis also looks at relationships between religion and well-being after considering other factors, among them marital status.

See more details and the full report on the Pew Research Center website.