Of rainbows and happily ever afters : a study on the impact of being socially connected on the happiness of church goers.

Abstract

Current scholarship addresses the positive impacts that social connectivity has on individuals. However, does having high social connectivity necessarily equate to rainbows and happily ever afters?

This dissertation seeks to find out the impact of being socially connected on the happiness of church goers. Through participant observation at a Charismatic church, and interviews with 18 members from that church, findings reveal that being socially connected is not a strong determining factor of happiness after all. Instead, causes of happiness can be organized into 3 factors: i) Quality relationships, ii) A sense of belonging, and iii) A positive belief system. Despite its limitations, this paper can contribute to existing scholarship on the interplay between individuals and culture. It also explores how individuals organize culture. Hopefully, it can be a platform for future research on the impact of how smaller units like the family impacts one’s relationship with others.