Spirituality, Altruism and Happiness in Young Adults

Author: Nimra Riaz
Supervisor: Aiman Javed
Degree: M.Sc
Year: 2014-2016
University: Institute of Applied Psychology, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate spirituality, altruism and happiness in young adults. It was hypothesized that happiness will be positively related to spirituality and altruism; happiness will be predicted by spirituality and altruism; and there will be gender differences in spirituality, altruism and happiness. Using cross-sectional research design and purposive sampling technique, a sample of 200 participants (100 men and 100 women), within the age range of 18 to 24 years, were taken from different institutes of University of the Punjab, Lahore. The Spirituality Questionnaire: Core Dimensions of Spirituality (Hardt, Schultz, Xander, Becker & Deagan, 2012), Helping Attitudes Scale (Nickle, 1998) and Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyumbomirsky & Lepper, 1999) were used to assess spirituality, altruism and happiness, respectively. Results showed that spirituality was positively related to altruism and happiness in young adults. Moreover, happiness was predicted by spirituality. Furthermore, gender differences were found in spirituality with women being more spiritual than men. These findings highlight the importance of spirituality in the happiness of young adults, imply the need of spiritual counseling for this age group and also pave the way for future researchers to explore different psychosocial correlates and predictors of happiness in young adults.

Keywords: Spirituality, Altruism, Happiness, Young Adults.
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Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245

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