Religiosity and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours in Malaysian Muslims: The Mediating Role of Subjective Well-Being and Self-Regulation

• DOI: 10.1007/s10943-017-0420-2
• Publication Date: 2017-06-24T05:20:22Z
• Authors: Swan Ee Tey; Miriam Sang-Ah Park; Karen Jennifer Go...
• Keywords: Adult; Adolescent; Health Status; Health Behavior; 05 social sciences; Malaysia; Middle Aged; Islam; Christianity; Self-Control; 3. Good health; Religion; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humans; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Healthy Lifestyle

Past research on healthy lifestyle behaviours has been primarily conducted within Western or Judeo-Christian contexts, while non-Western or Muslim contexts remain under-represented. This study examined predictors of healthy lifestyle behaviours (religiosity, goal-setting, impulse control, and subjective well-being) in Malaysian Muslims and explored the mechanisms underlying the relationship between religiosity and healthy lifestyle behaviours. Self-report survey responses from 183 healthy adults (M age = 28.63 years, 18-50 years) were analysed using regression and multiple mediation analyses. The results indicated that subjective well-being emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by goal-setting. Furthermore, subjective well-being and goal-setting mediated the religiosity-healthy lifestyle behaviour relationship. The findings provide guidance for future health-promoting interventions.