Living between belief and consumption: religiosity, hedonism, and life satisfaction among Turkish youth

Güngördü Belbağ A., ERBİL C.

Turkish Studies, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/14683849.2025.2600972
  • Journal Name: Turkish Studies
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, Historical Abstracts, Index Islamicus, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Political Science Complete, Public Affairs Index, Social Sciences Abstracts
  • Keywords: life satisfaction, Materialistic hedonism, neoliberalism, religiosity, youth
  • Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study examines the relationships among religiosity, materialistic hedonism, control, discomfort, and life satisfaction among 256 young individuals in Turkey. Structural equation modeling shows that religiosity does not curb materialistic hedonism and positively affects control. Life satisfaction is positively influenced by control and materialistic hedonism, and negatively by discomfort. Turkish youth form hybrid identities and practices that integrate both faith and consumer desires. A few studies examine contexts like Turkey, where secularism and religiosity coexist, and religious beliefs fulfill broader social and economic functions. The co-existence of religious beliefs and consumerism -especially among middle and lower class youth- remains underexplored.