Time investments in rituals are associated with social bonding, affect and subjective health: a longitudinal study of Diwali in two Indian communities.

ABSTRACT: Rituals are performed within specific socio-ecological niches, yet the different effects of the same ritual form across different niches (community contexts) remains unclear. Here, using longitudinal measures over a two-week period during Diwali (the Indian festival of light), we investigate the relationship between ritual time allocation and social cohesion in two Indian communities. First, the positive effects of ritual on social bonding, perceived health and affect were highest on the focal day of the festival. Second, we observed anticipatory effects of ritualistic commitment on affect prior to the main day of the festival. Third, social bonding patterns were similar in the two Indian settings, indicating that Diwali fosters social cohesion across diverse social ecologies (cultural nic

SUBMITTER: Singh P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7423265 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature