Religion & Communication

Path Analysis of the Relationship Between Gender, Education Level, and Religiosity with Religious Practice and Social Happiness Among Iranian Muslims

Document Type : Scientific-Research Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. in sports psychology, assistant professor, Fatemeh Al-Zahra Campus, Department of Psychology and Counselling, Farhangian University, Tehran, I.R.Iran

2 Bachelor's student in educational affairs, Farhangian University, Yazd, I.R.Iran

10.30497/rc.2025.248376.2116

Abstract

Religion, culture, and conceptual metaphors help regulate and structure emotions by shaping the value and counter-value attributions of feelings, thereby enhancing happiness. This study examines the impact of gender, education, and religious beliefs on the connection between religious practice and social well-being among Iranian Muslims. The present study employed a descriptive-correlational survey design. A total of 398 Iranian Muslim men and women with varying levels of education participated in the study by completing the online versions of the Glock and Stark (1965) Religiosity Questionnaire, a measure of religious practice (Mabed), and a social happiness questionnaire. The findings reveal that gender, educational attainment, and adherence to religious practices have a positive and statistically significant impact on both social vitality and religious beliefs (p < 0.05). Furthermore, religious beliefs significantly influence social vitality, and religious practice exerts a significant effect on both education and gender (p<.05). The effect of religious practice on social vitality is significant when mediated by gender and moderated by education (p<.01), but not when mediated by religious beliefs alone (p>.05). Additionally, the influence of religious practice on religious beliefs is significant when mediated by education and gender (p<.05). However, education and gender do not significantly affect social vitality through religious beliefs (p>.05). Likewise, the effect of religious practice on social vitality is not significant when mediated through religious beliefs or gender/education, nor does gender significantly impact social vitality through religious beliefs (p>.05). In summary, religious practice appears to directly enhance social vitality by fostering social support and a sense of meaning in life. In contrast, religious beliefs may indirectly affect social vitality, primarily under the influence of moderating factors such as gender and education. Both education and gender play a role in shaping the intensity and nature of the relationship between religiosity and social vitality.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Religion & Communication
Volume 32, Issue 1 - Serial Number 67
religion and communication
August 2025
Pages 235-268