Religion and Subjective Well-Being in Ghana

Abstract

Using 2008 Afrobarometer survey data, we examine the relationship between religion and subjective well-being (SWB) in Ghana, as well as religious group differences in their experiences of SWB. Two measures of religion-religious affiliation and religious importance, and two measures of SWB-absolute SWB (own perceived living conditions) and relative SWB (own living conditions compared to those of other Ghanaians) are employed in this study. Results show that religious affiliation is significantly related to both measures of SWB although associations depicted for such relationships were not strong. Religious importance significantly related to relative SWB only (with a weak-to-moderate association). Significant religious affiliation and religious importance group differences are found on both SWB outcomes via non-parametric test procedures (Kruskal-Wallis H test, followed by post hoc tests). On balance, the None/Traditional religious group experienced less favorable SWB than Other Christian, Evangelical/Pentecostal, and Muslim groups, especially for absolute SWB, while the None/Traditional group experienced particularly less favorable relative SWB than the Protestant group. Religious importance groups also significantly differed in such a way that the group that considered religion very important had more favorable experiences of both types of SWB than the group that considered religion not at all/not very important. Other significant differences on both outcomes are found among ethnic, educational, and regional groups. In view of the findings, the study contributes to SWB research and suggests policy implications.

A Gospel of Prosperity? An Analysis of the Relationship Between Religion and Earned Income in Ghana, the Most Religious Country in the World*

“…In Ghana, religion may influence earnings through each of these indirect pathways. First, while no study has explicitly tested the role of social networks, Pokimica, Addai, and Takyi () discuss the importance of them in their study of subjective well‐being. Specifically, they observe that “Other Christians” in Ghana, most of whom belong to local Ghanaian church sects, score higher than any other religious group on both absolute and relative subjective well‐being measures.…”

“…Ghana also provides an interesting case study because, though no one has explored the relationship between religion and earnings in Ghana, some research has been done on the relationship between religion and education/literacy, well‐being, and wealth (Heaton, James, and Oheneba‐Sakyi ; Pokimica, Addai, and Takyi ).…”

Child‐caregiver Attachment Representations in a Non‐Western Context: The Feasibility and Cultural Equivalence of Story Stems in Urban Ghana

“…Elders are highly respected and children are expected to conform and Child Attachment Story Stems in Ghana 61 V C 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd be obedient (Kuada & Chachah, 1999). Religion continues to play a vital, if not resurging, role in Ghanaian life (Pokimica, Addai, & Takyi, 2012).…”

Elections and Subjective Living Conditions in Sub‐Saharan Africa

“…Individuals with strong religious beliefs report a higher level of life satisfaction and greater personal happiness (Ellison, ; Ellison et al ., ). In addition to that religion is also a key determinant in Ghana for perceived living conditions (Pokimica et al ., ).…”