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01-04-2015 | Original Paper

Materialism and Life Satisfaction: The Role of Religion

Authors: Varapa Rakrachakarn, George P. Moschis, Fon Sim Ong, Randall Shannon

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 2/2015

Abstract

This study examines the role of religion and religiosity in the relationship between materialism and life satisfaction. The findings suggests that religion may be a key factor in understanding differences in findings of previous studies regarding the inverse relationship found in the vast majority of previous studies. Based on a large-scale study in Malaysia—a country comprised of several religious subcultures (mainly Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus), the findings suggest that the influence of religiosity on materialism and life satisfaction is stronger among Malays than among Chinese and Indians, and life satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between religiosity and materialism. The paper discusses implications for theory development and further research.

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Title: Materialism and Life Satisfaction: The Role of Religion
Authors: Varapa Rakrachakarn
George P. Moschis
Fon Sim Ong
Randall Shannon
Publication date: 01-04-2015
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9794-y

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