Does Conformity Nurture Well-Being? Evidence from Young Adults Working in Faith-Based Organizations in Nairobi County, Kenya

Background: Subjective well-being is an important indicator of psychological functioning among young adults, yet limited empirical evidence exists on how religious conformity within Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) relates to well-being in the Kenyan context. Objective: This study examined the relationship between religious conformity and subjective well-being among young adults working in Faith-Based Organizations in Nairobi County, Kenya. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional correlational design was adopted. Data were collected from 169 young adults aged 18–35 years working in Christian FBOs using structured questionnaires measuring religious conformity and subjective well-being. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and study variables, while Pearson's Product-Moment correlation and simple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship and predictive influence of religious conformity on subjective well-being at a significance level of p < .05. Results: Respondents reported moderate levels of religious conformity and generally high levels of subjective well-being. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a weak positive but statistically non-significant relationship between religious conformity and subjective well-being (r = .088, p = .254). Similarly, simple linear regression indicated that religious conformity did not significantly predict subjective well-being (β = .088, t = 1.145, p = .254). Conclusion: Religious conformity alone was not associated with improved subjective well-being among young adults working in Faith-Based Organizations. The findings suggest that employee well-being is likely influenced by broader psychological and organizational factors beyond adherence to institutional religious expectations. Faith-based organizations should therefore complement their religious mission with practices that promote autonomy, meaningful work, supportive relationships, and authentic spiritual development.

Religious conformity, subjective well-being, faith-based organizations

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