Constructions of religiosity, subjective well-being, anxiety, and depression in two cultures: Kuwait and USA

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to explore the associations of religiosity with subjective well-being (SWB) and psychopathology (anxiety and depression) among college students recruited from two different cultures, Kuwait ( n = 192) and the USA ( n = 158). Method: The students responded to the following scales in their native languages, Arabic and English, respectively: the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, the Love of Life Scale, the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale and the Center for Epidemiological Studies – Depression Scale. They also responded to six self-rating scales assessing happiness, satisfaction with life, mental health, physical health, religiosity and strength of religious belief. Results: The Kuwaiti students obtained higher mean scores on religiosity, religious belief and depression than did their American counterparts, whereas American students had higher mean scores on happiness and love of life. Two factors were extracted: ‘SWB versus psychopathology’ and ‘Religiosity’. Conclusion: Based on the responses of the present two samples, it was concluded that those who consider themselves as religious experienced greater well-being.