Religious Orientation, Self-Esteem and Happiness among Undergraduate Students

The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between religious orientation, happiness and self esteem as well as to find out the significant predictors of happiness. The sample consisted of eighty undergraduate students of University of Delhi from four religious communities. For data collection Religious Orientation Scale (Gupta & Mishra, 2007), Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (Hills & Argyle, 2002) and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (Coopersmith, 1967) were used. Data were analyzed using Pearson's Product Moment Correlation and Regression analysis. Results showed high intrinsic religious orientation, high level of happiness and average level of self esteem in the present sample. Significant positive correlations were found between intrinsic religious orientation and happiness, intrinsic religious orientation and self-esteem, and self-esteem and happiness. Extrinsic religious orientation was found to be negatively correlated to happiness and self esteem. Intrinsic religious orientation and self esteem emerged as significant predictors of happiness.