Religious Orientation and Self Esteem as Predictors of Subjective Happiness and Prosocial Behaviour among a Sample of Undergraduates

Prosocial behavior and subjective happiness are important social and cognitive lubricants that help students to cope and maintain focus in the midst of social, economic, and academic challenges in order to attain success. However, the interplay of religious orientation and self-esteem on prosocial behavior and subjective happiness has been less considered in literature, especially among the population of university undergraduates. Thus, this study examined the predictors of religious orientation and self-esteem on subjective happiness and prosocial behavior among a sample of undergraduates. Using purposive and convenience sampling techniques, 250 undergraduates were selected. The sample comprised of male=110 and female= 140 aged between 17 – 32 years (Mean =20.82; SD = 2.70). The participants responded to measures on prosocial behavior, subjective happiness, religious orientation and self-esteem. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested with Multiple Regression Analysis.

The findings showed that religious orientation [r (2,247) β= .24, p<.01] and self-esteem [r (2,247) β= .28, p<.01] had significant independent and joint [F(2, 247) =18.80, p <.01] prediction on prosocial behavior. Similarly, the findings revealed a significant independent predictions of religious orientation [r (2,247) β= .23, p<.01], and self-esteem [r (2,247) β= .29, p<.01] on subjective happiness. Also, the joint prediction of religious orientation and self-esteem on subjective happiness were significant [F (2, 247) =18.91, p <.01].

Based on these findings, the study therefore recommends that parents must play a significant role to ensure that religious orientations on rendering help to others are taught in their daily devotions to their children.

Keywords: Prosocial behavior, subjective happiness, religious orientation and self-esteem.

Prof. Olukayode Afolabi

I have B.Sc, M.Sc, & Ph.D DEGREES in Psychology from Nigeria’s premier University of Ibadan and have been a University Lecturer in the last 24 years.

Based on my love and dedication to the Nigerian Psychological Association, in 2012, I was elected the Editor-in-Chief of the Association’s journals (three in all). By the second year, another journal, Nigerian Psychological Research was added. These journals were published annually for the five years that I served as the Editor-in-Chief. No single volume/edition was omitted.

During the five-year period (2012-2017) and based on my capabilities and dedication to duty, I was, in addition, (2013), made the South West Coordinator of the Association. At the period as well, I was able to successfully organise annual zonal conferences. The conferences were well-attended.

As I completed my tenure as both the Editor-in-Chief and the South West Coordinator (in 2017), I was elected as the Vice President of the Association for four years (two terms). During the period, I was in charge of membership mobilization and registration as well as being in charge of the State Chapters. This tenure was completed in 2021

In 2020, I became the President-Elect (for one year). Thus, in 2021, I was sworn-in as the President of the Association for two years. I was re-elected in 2023. Joyfully, between the last three years and now, I have led major reformations in the leadership of psychology in Nigeria that have led to the integration of psychology in the Nigerian Public Service. In conjunction with the National Universities Commission, the psychology curriculum in Nigerian Universities have been successfully reviewed in line with the best global practices. This implied that psychology graduates from Nigeria can successfully compete with their counterpart worldwide. We have also mentored emerging scholars across Nigeria to serve appropriate manpower needs.

Psychology in DR Congo, from 1954 to the present days

From 1954 to 2024, 70 years of existence of Lovanium, a pioneering university in the DRC under the colonial yoke, within Faculty Institute of Psychology and Pedagogy attached to the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters.

Several Belgian studies of the period reveal colonial objectives and interests, characterized by intentional biases of the authors (Maistriaux, d’Ombredane).  The Institute of Psychology and Pedagogy of Lovanium had favored studies of measurement and appreciation of the intelligence of the Congolese, no significant difference with the white man.

In 2002, the clinical psychology option appeared at the University of Kinshasa, 48 years after work and school psychology options. Already in 1983, six clinical psychologists from the CNPP and seven others created the Association of Clinical Psychologists of Zaire (UPCZ).  The term “UNION” symbolizing the struggle of a profession.

In 2003 creation of the profession of clinical psychologist, publication Official Journal/RDC n°7 and 8/2004. All these official documents make the UNPC the first association of officially recognized psychologists in the country.

In 2017 UNPC joined PAPU (Pan-African Union of Psychologists). In 2019 UNPC and PAPU are organizing an international conference in Kinshasa. A member of the UNPC sits on the executive committee of PAPU.

Prof. Olea Balayulu

Oléa Balayulu Makila is a PhD from the University of Bourgogne Franche Comté in France, currently Professor of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology at the University of Kinshasa and visiting professor at several other universities in the DRC. He is also an Expert in the National Mental Health Program at the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention (MSPHP), National President of the National Union of Clinical Psychologists.