Replicating Predictors of Spirituality and Happiness in Children

Abstract

Positive psychology provides the theoretical framework for this replication and extension study of Holder, Coleman, and Wallace (2010). Their results indicated that spirituality (especially the domains of communal and personal) predicted students’ (N = 307) happiness (across three dependent measures), even after controlling for temperament (Faces Scale (communal, r =.45, personal, r = .44; p < .05), Oxford Happiness Questionnaire-Short Form (communal, r = .44, personal, r = .48; p < .05), and the Subjective Happiness Scale (communal, r = .34, personal, r =.38; p < .05). The present study used archival data drawn from students in grades 4 through 6 (approximately 8 to 12 years old) attending private (faith-based) schools in Western Washington. Similar to the Holder et al. results, this study revealed positive correlations between spirituality and happiness, even after controlling for gender, grade level, and temperament. Extending the work of Holder et al., participant grade level was included in the regression model in order to account for developmental differences among children, but grade level did not contribute significantly to the overall prediction of students’ happiness levels. Gender was also of little predicative value. Implications for theory, research, and practice are included.