Religious involvement and subjective wellbeing among older adults in Taiwan

Exploring Gender and Age Differences

Bibliographic Data

ID7146337
AuthorsKeqing Zhang (0000-0003-2255-8454, Beijing Foreign Studies University), Wei Zhang (0000-0002-5458-9581, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, corresponding author), C G Ellison (0000-0002-6585-5160, The University of Texas at San Antonio), Wei-Pang Wang (Tunghai University)
Year2025
Volume45
Issue10
Pages2023-2041
Publication date2025-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAgeing and Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0144-686X • E-ISSN: 1469-1779
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0144686x24000758
OpenAlexW4405483137
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited59

This study addresses a significant knowledge gap in the literature by examining the relationship between religious involvement and subjective wellbeing (SWB) among older adults in Taiwan, a cultural context that has been underrepresented in existing research, with a focus on gender and age differences. Using data collected in Taichung City in 2017 (N = 645), this study measured religious involvement through religious affiliation, religiosity and frequency of religious participation, and assessed SWB via life satisfaction and happiness. Findings revealed no significant association between religious involvement and life satisfaction. However, religious participation was positively correlated with happiness. Gender differences were observed: Buddhism and Taoism were positively associated with life satisfaction among males, whereas religiosity and religious participation were significantly related to life satisfaction and happiness among females. Age disparities were also found, with religiosity significantly relating to both life satisfaction and happiness in the old-old group (70–89 years) but not in the young-old group (60–69 years). These findings highlight the nuanced associations between religious involvement and SWB, emphasising the importance of considering gender and age variations in future research. Future studies should further explore the cultural contexts that shape these relationships and examine other potential mediating factors to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how religious involvement influences wellbeing across different demographic groups

Buddhism · Context (archaeology) · Geography · Happiness · Life satisfaction · Religiosity · Subjective well-being · Well-being · Dietary Effects on Health · Psychology · Religion and Society Interactions · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology

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