Religiosity, subjective well-being, self-esteem, and anxiety among Kuwaiti Muslim adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the association between religiosity, subjective well-being (SWB), self-esteem, and anxiety among a sample of 499 Muslim Kuwaiti adolescents (Mages = 16.87, SD = 1.49). It is expected that there will be significant correlations between religiosity and SWB, self-esteem (positive), and anxiety (negative). Six self-rating scales were used to assess religiosity, religious belief, physical health, mental health, happiness, and satisfaction with life, along with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Kuwait University Anxiety Scale. No significant sex-related differences were detected on all the scales. All the correlations were significant between religiosity and SWB rating scales, self-esteem (positive) and anxiety (negative). A principal components analysis yielded a high loaded, bipolar factor labelled “Religiosity and well-being versus anxiety.” Results suggest that religiosity is associated with high levels of self-rating of SWB, self-esteem and low levels of anxiety. The present findings provide further evidence for a probable mollifying role of religiosity in providing a buffering effect on anxiety in the current sample of Muslim adolescents.