Wellbeing and religious community participation: Exploring resources for wellbeing in areas of socio‐economic deprivation in the United Kingdom

Abstract

AbstractA decrease in wellbeing in the United Kingdom since the 2008 economic crisis has been compounded by the closure of community groups in socio‐economically deprived areas. This leaves churches as one of the few communal groups for fostering wellbeing, despite a dearth of research on religiosity and wellbeing in such areas. This article draws on semi‐structured interviews, supplemented with participant observations and ethnographic observations, to explore the social processes involved in shaping experiences of wellbeing amongst religious communities in socio‐economically deprived areas in North East England. It identifies the resources available for wellbeing and the points at which they are accessed. It also expands the existing conception of wellbeing by: (i) unpacking and refining a three‐tiered structure for understanding wellbeing; (ii) identifying a wellbeing paradox, whereby interpersonal vulnerability supports and undermines wellbeing; and (iii) mapping the relationships between the micro, meso and macro levels in shaping experiences of wellbeing, highlighting the need for more qualitative studies of subjective wellbeing. As it does so, this article offers practical insights that can guide those with pastoral responsibilities in areas of socio‐economic deprivation to foster higher levels of wellbeing in their communities.