Recent research by Gallup finds, “Americans who attend a church, synagogue, or mosque frequently report experiencing more positive emotions and fewer negative ones in general than do those who attend less often or not at all.”
So What?
Higher levels of religiosity correlate to higher levels of well-being according to other findings from Gallup’s research (see my post on the benefits of being religious). Within that context, it makes sense that those who are most involved in religious communities show the greatest possible positive difference between positive and negative emotions while those with no involvement show the greatest possible positive difference between negative and positive emotions.
- Do you find that the people you know well who display generally positive emotions are generally those who attend church regularly?
- Why do you think religious involvement is correlated to both general well-being and more positive emotions?
