Files 1

Tyler Files
LIBA 110 K
29 October 2014
Seminar Bibliography

Robbins, Mandy, Leslie J. Francis, and Bethan Edwards. "Prayer, Personality And
Happiness: A Study Among Undergraduate Students In Wales." Mental
Health, Religion & Culture 11.1 (2008): 93-99. Academic Search Premier. Web.
2 Oct. 2014.
This study was conducted to analyze the correlation between prayer and happiness.
In this study the professors used 131 undergraduate students from the University of
Wales. The data should those those who prayed more frequently than others had a
significant boost in their happiness using the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire.
However, when controlling for individual differences in personality, the apparent
association between the two vanished. Source is useful because it is an academic
article where the professors preforming this study were knowledgeable persons on
this topic. Also there are an extensive number of resources that were used in this
study, signifying that those who conducted it did not just come up with their ideas
but used the help of others. This source can be useful because it shows a concrete
study that can be difficult to refute against. Also it can help me argue that prayer can
boost your happiness.

Files 2
Cohen, Adam B. "The Importance Of Spirituality In Well-Being For Jews And
Christians." Journal Of Happiness Studies 3.3 (2002): 287-310. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 2 Oct. 2014
In this article, it analyzes the differences in spirituality among those of different
religious backgrounds. The study found that spirituality, religious coping, and
religious belief were better predictors of happiness and quality of life for
Protestants and Catholics than for Jews. This shows the differences in groups of
similar faiths can find different ways to peruse happiness. This article is creditable
because the author is knowledge on the topic and can be trusted. This article will
help in showing that happiness is different for everyone.
Larrimore, Mark. "Religion And The Promise Of Happiness." Social Research 77.2
(2010): 569-594. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.
In this article it discusses the importance of happiness. It states that happiness is the
main goal in our lives and is what we strive for everyday. Religion plays a crucial
part in that; it helps us respond to the things that make us unhappy and helps us
become happier. The author of this article has written many articles on happiness
and writes for Social Research. This source shows that it comes from a place where
they know what their talking about. This article can help me explain the significance
religion plays not only in making us happy, but how it helps us cope with the
distresses in our lives.
Diener, Ed, Louis Tay, and David G. Myers. "The Religion Paradox: If Religion Makes
People Happy, Why Are So Many Dropping Out?." Journal Of Personality &
Social Psychology 101.6 (2011): 1278-1290. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7

Files 3
Oct. 2014.
In this article it discusses the subjective well being (SWB) those who are either
religious or nonreligious in different social situations. The study found that those
who lived in less favorable conditions where found to be more religious and have a
higher SWB than those who were nonreligious. Those conducting the study believe
that religion plays a key role in helping people find purpose and meaning. In
countries where there were favorable conditions, the SWB of those who were
religious and nonreligious were about the same. This finding leads them to believe
that the benefits of religion for social relationships and SWB depend on the
characteristics of the society that the individuals live in. This is a credible source
because it comes from journal that focuses on social psychology. Also the authors
have degrees in this field, which makes them a worthy source. This article will help
me because I can use this as an example of how we need to become more religious
where we are free to express our religious beliefs.

Munir, Fozia, Ashar Awan, and Syed Nisar Hussain Hamdani. "The Impact Of
Worship On Individual's Well-Being." Journal Of Advanced Research In Law &
Economics 3.2 (2012): 21-30. Academic Search Premier. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
In this article it discusses the relationship between a persons economic state to their
well being. This was done to see if those who prayed daily were happier then those
who did not of various economic backgrounds. What the study found was that
negatively per capita consumption and worship, education index and duty time
positively effect on individual's well-being. I will be able to use this article to help

Files 4
prove that not only prayer, but worship can have a positive effect on a person well
being.

Ellison, Christopher G., et al. "Religious Involvement, Stress, And Mental Health:
Findings From The 1995 Detroit Area Study." Social Forces 80.1 (2001): 215249. Academic Search Premier. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
This article describes the relationship between religious involvement and mental
health. It found that those who were religiously involved more often than not
experienced positive health benefits. However in the study it found that the
frequency of prayer had a negative effect. It stated that those who prayed had often
exhausted other coping resources when they were in distress. I can use this article
to explain the counter arguments against my research. This will give more depth
and discussion.

"Entertaining Faith." Campus Life 63.4 (2004): 29. Academic Search Premier. Web. 29
Oct. 2014.
In this magazine article it describes a video game called the Sims and a movie, Bruce
Almighty. The Sims is a game was you control a character and essentially take them
through life. Bruce Almighty is where a man is given the same powers as God. And
he when he must answer the prayers of people he does so without care. He learns
that not all prayers must be answered but that the ones that direct the people
towards their destiny. Also it tells that people will go through painful experiences to

Files 5
grow and become a better person. This article will help me explain that prayer can
be beneficial for a persons happiness. But I will also explain that not all prayers will
be answered, but it is the act of praying that can help relive your stress and make
you feel happier.

Whittington, Brandon L., and Steven J. Scher. "Prayer And Subjective Well-Being: An
Examination Of Six Different Types Of Prayer." International Journal For The
Psychology Of Religion 20.1 (2010): 59-68. Academic Search Premier. Web. 29
Oct. 2014.
This article describes a study of 6 different types of prayer and the effects of that on
our well-being. The 6 types included adoration, confession, thanksgiving,
supplication, reception, and obligatory prayer. The study found that 3 forms,
adoration, thanksgiving, and reception, had positive effects to a persons well-being.
The other 3 forms had negative effects on a persons well-being. This study can help
me form an argument that the type of prayer that you use can have a relation to
whether or not your happiness will increase.

Olver, Ian N., and Andrew Dutney. "A Randomized, Blinded Study Of The Impact Of
Intercessory Prayer On Spiritual Well-Being In Patients With Cancer."
Alternative Therapies In Health & Medicine 18.5 (2012): 18-27. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
In this study, a research team attempted to find the effects intercessory prayer
would have in cancer patients. They would randomize who an when a patient would

Files 6
be contacted to tell them they would be receiving an intercessory prayer. From this
study the researchers found that those who were randomly selected showed small,
but significant improvements in their well-being. This article will help me prove that
when on receives prayers form another that their happiness should increase.

Kirk, Chris Michael, and Rhonda K. Lewis. "The Impact Of Religious Behaviours On
The Health And Well-Being Of Emerging Adults." Mental Health, Religion &
Culture 16.10 (2013): 1030-1043. Academic Search Premier. Web. 29 Oct.
2014.
This article describes a study conducted among young adults, mostly college
students. Data was collected on religious service attendance, prayer and meditation,
substance use, sexual activity, and life satisfaction. The study found that those who
were religiously involved reported less substance abuse, sexual activity and greater
life satisfaction. With this study I will make a good argument that being religiously
involved, whether through prayer or other means, can make you a happier person
than those who do not.