Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 3/2012

Open Access 01-09-2012 | Original Paper

Self-Concept Clarity and Religious Orientations: Prediction of Purpose in Life and Self-Esteem

Authors: Magdalena Błażek, Tomasz Besta

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 3/2012

Login to get access

Abstract

The present study concerns the relationship between self-concept clarity, religiosity, and well-being, as well as the mediating influence of religiosity on the relationship between self-concept clarity and sense of meaning in life and self-esteem. Self-concept clarity was found to be a significant predictor of sense of meaning in life and self-esteem; intrinsic religious orientation was found to be a predictor of sense of meaning in life, while the quest religious orientation was a predictor for self-esteem. The cross-products of self-concept clarity and intrinsic religious orientation were found to be related to the sense of purpose in life, which would point to religiosity being a mediator of the relationship between self-concept clarity and sense of purpose in life. The cross-products of self-concept clarity and quest religious orientation were found to be a predictor of self-esteem, which indicates a mediating effect of this religious orientation in the relationship of self-concept clarity and self-esteem.
Literature
go back to reference Allport, G. W., & Ross, J. M. (1967). Personal religious orientation and prejudice. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 5, 432–443.PubMedCrossRef Allport, G. W., & Ross, J. M. (1967). Personal religious orientation and prejudice. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 5, 432–443.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Altemeyer, B., & Hunsberger, B. (1992). Authoritarianism, religious fundamentalism, quest, and prejudice. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 2, 113–133.CrossRef Altemeyer, B., & Hunsberger, B. (1992). Authoritarianism, religious fundamentalism, quest, and prejudice. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 2, 113–133.CrossRef
go back to reference Ano, G. G., & Vasconcelles, E. B. (2005). Religious coping and psychological adjustment to stress: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 61, 461–480.PubMedCrossRef Ano, G. G., & Vasconcelles, E. B. (2005). Religious coping and psychological adjustment to stress: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 61, 461–480.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Batson, C. D. (1976). Religion as prosocial: Agent or double agent? Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 15, 29–45.CrossRef Batson, C. D. (1976). Religion as prosocial: Agent or double agent? Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 15, 29–45.CrossRef
go back to reference Batson, C. D., & Raynor-Prince, L. (1983). Religious orientation and complexity of thought about existential concerns. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 22, 38–50.CrossRef Batson, C. D., & Raynor-Prince, L. (1983). Religious orientation and complexity of thought about existential concerns. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 22, 38–50.CrossRef
go back to reference Batson, C. D., Schoenrade, P. A., & Ventis, W. L. (1993). Religion and the individual: A social-psychological perspective. New York: Oxford University Press. Batson, C. D., Schoenrade, P. A., & Ventis, W. L. (1993). Religion and the individual: A social-psychological perspective. New York: Oxford University Press.
go back to reference Błażek, M. (2008). Zróżnicowanie w poziomie dekonstrukcji Ja osób o różnej klarowności samowiedzy w sytuacji wykluczenia społecznego. In M. Plopa & M. Błażek (Eds.), Współczesny człowiek w świetle dylematów i wyzwań: Perspektywa psychologiczna (57–68). Kraków: IMPULS. Błażek, M. (2008). Zróżnicowanie w poziomie dekonstrukcji Ja osób o różnej klarowności samowiedzy w sytuacji wykluczenia społecznego. In M. Plopa & M. Błażek (Eds.), Współczesny człowiek w świetle dylematów i wyzwań: Perspektywa psychologiczna (57–68). Kraków: IMPULS.
go back to reference Bogels, S. M., & Mansell, W. (2004). Attention processes in the maintenance and treatment of social phobia: Hypervigilence, avoidance and self-focused attention. Clinical Psychology Review, 24, 827–856.PubMedCrossRef Bogels, S. M., & Mansell, W. (2004). Attention processes in the maintenance and treatment of social phobia: Hypervigilence, avoidance and self-focused attention. Clinical Psychology Review, 24, 827–856.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Campbell, J. D. (1990). Self-esteem and clarity of the self-concept. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59, 538–549.PubMedCrossRef Campbell, J. D. (1990). Self-esteem and clarity of the self-concept. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59, 538–549.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Campbell, J. D., Chew, B., & Scratchley, L. S. (1991). Cognitive and emotional reactions to daily events: The effects of self-esteem and self-complexity. Journal of Personality, 59, 473–505.PubMedCrossRef Campbell, J. D., Chew, B., & Scratchley, L. S. (1991). Cognitive and emotional reactions to daily events: The effects of self-esteem and self-complexity. Journal of Personality, 59, 473–505.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Campbell, J. D., Trapnell, P. D., Heine, S. J., Katz, I. M., Lavallee, L. F., & Lehman, D. R. (1996). Self-concept clarity: Measurement, personality correlates, and cultural boundaries. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70, 141–156.CrossRef Campbell, J. D., Trapnell, P. D., Heine, S. J., Katz, I. M., Lavallee, L. F., & Lehman, D. R. (1996). Self-concept clarity: Measurement, personality correlates, and cultural boundaries. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70, 141–156.CrossRef
go back to reference Crumbaugh, J. C., & Maholick, L. T. (1964). An experimental study in existentialism: The psychometric approach to Frankl’s concept of noogenic neurosis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 20, 589–596.CrossRef Crumbaugh, J. C., & Maholick, L. T. (1964). An experimental study in existentialism: The psychometric approach to Frankl’s concept of noogenic neurosis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 20, 589–596.CrossRef
go back to reference Csankl, P. A. R., & Conway, M. (2004). Engaging in self-reflection changes self-concept clarity: On differences between women and men, and low- and high-clarity individuals. Sex Roles, 50, 469–480.CrossRef Csankl, P. A. R., & Conway, M. (2004). Engaging in self-reflection changes self-concept clarity: On differences between women and men, and low- and high-clarity individuals. Sex Roles, 50, 469–480.CrossRef
go back to reference de Jong, P. J. (2002). Implicit self-esteem and social anxiety: Differential self-favouring effects in high and low anxious individuals. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 40, 501–508.PubMedCrossRef de Jong, P. J. (2002). Implicit self-esteem and social anxiety: Differential self-favouring effects in high and low anxious individuals. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 40, 501–508.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Diener, E., & Diener, M. (1995). Cross-cultural correlates of life satisfaction and self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68, 653–663.PubMedCrossRef Diener, E., & Diener, M. (1995). Cross-cultural correlates of life satisfaction and self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68, 653–663.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Donahue, M. J. (1985). Intrinsic and extrinsic religiousness: Review and meta-analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 400–419.CrossRef Donahue, M. J. (1985). Intrinsic and extrinsic religiousness: Review and meta-analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 400–419.CrossRef
go back to reference Flere, S., Edwards, K. J., & Klanjsek, R. (2008). Religious orientation in three central European environments: Quest, intrinsic, and extrinsic dimensions. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 18, 1–21.CrossRef Flere, S., Edwards, K. J., & Klanjsek, R. (2008). Religious orientation in three central European environments: Quest, intrinsic, and extrinsic dimensions. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 18, 1–21.CrossRef
go back to reference Genia, V. (1996). I, E, quest, and fundamentalism as predictors of psychological and spiritual well-being. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 35, 56–64.CrossRef Genia, V. (1996). I, E, quest, and fundamentalism as predictors of psychological and spiritual well-being. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 35, 56–64.CrossRef
go back to reference George, L. K., Larson, D. B., Koenig, H. G., & McCullough, M. E. (2000). Spirituality and health: What we know, what we need to know. Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, 19, 102–116.CrossRef George, L. K., Larson, D. B., Koenig, H. G., & McCullough, M. E. (2000). Spirituality and health: What we know, what we need to know. Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology, 19, 102–116.CrossRef
go back to reference Jones, J. W. (2004). Religion, health, and the psychology of religion: How the research on religion and health helps us understand religion. Journal of Religion and Health, 43, 317–328.CrossRef Jones, J. W. (2004). Religion, health, and the psychology of religion: How the research on religion and health helps us understand religion. Journal of Religion and Health, 43, 317–328.CrossRef
go back to reference Krause, N. (2009). Church-based social relationships and change in self-esteem over time. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 48, 756–773.CrossRef Krause, N. (2009). Church-based social relationships and change in self-esteem over time. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 48, 756–773.CrossRef
go back to reference Kruglanski, A. W., & Webster, D. M. (1996). Motivated closing of the mind: “Seizing” and “freezing”. Psychological Review, 103, 263–283.PubMedCrossRef Kruglanski, A. W., & Webster, D. M. (1996). Motivated closing of the mind: “Seizing” and “freezing”. Psychological Review, 103, 263–283.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Lavric, M., & Flere, S. (2008). The role of culture in the relationship between religiosity and psychological well-being. Journal of Religion and Health, 47, 164–175.PubMedCrossRef Lavric, M., & Flere, S. (2008). The role of culture in the relationship between religiosity and psychological well-being. Journal of Religion and Health, 47, 164–175.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Marks, L. (2005). Religion and bio-psycho-social health: A review and conceptual model. Journal of Religion and Health, 44, 173–186.CrossRef Marks, L. (2005). Religion and bio-psycho-social health: A review and conceptual model. Journal of Religion and Health, 44, 173–186.CrossRef
go back to reference Matto, H., & Realo, A. (2001). The Estonian self-concept clarity scale: Psychometric properties and personality correlates. Personality and Individual Differences, 30, 59–70.CrossRef Matto, H., & Realo, A. (2001). The Estonian self-concept clarity scale: Psychometric properties and personality correlates. Personality and Individual Differences, 30, 59–70.CrossRef
go back to reference McCullough, M. E., & Willoughby, B. L. B. (2009). Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications. Psychological Bulletin, 135, 69–93.PubMedCrossRef McCullough, M. E., & Willoughby, B. L. B. (2009). Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications. Psychological Bulletin, 135, 69–93.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Pargament, K. I. (2002). The bitter and the sweet: An evaluation of the costs and benefits of religiousness. Psychological Inquiry, 13, 168–173.CrossRef Pargament, K. I. (2002). The bitter and the sweet: An evaluation of the costs and benefits of religiousness. Psychological Inquiry, 13, 168–173.CrossRef
go back to reference Powell, L. H., Shahabi, L., & Thoresen, C. E. (2003). Religion and spirituality: Linkages to physical health. American Psychologist, 58, 36–52.PubMedCrossRef Powell, L. H., Shahabi, L., & Thoresen, C. E. (2003). Religion and spirituality: Linkages to physical health. American Psychologist, 58, 36–52.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
go back to reference Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 1069–1081.CrossRef Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 1069–1081.CrossRef
go back to reference Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. H. (1998). The contours of positive human health. Psychological Inquiry, 9, 1–28.CrossRef Ryff, C. D., & Singer, B. H. (1998). The contours of positive human health. Psychological Inquiry, 9, 1–28.CrossRef
go back to reference Shek, D. T. L. (1993). The Chinese version of the state-trait anxiety inventory: Its relationship to different measures of psychological well-being. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 49, 349–358.PubMedCrossRef Shek, D. T. L. (1993). The Chinese version of the state-trait anxiety inventory: Its relationship to different measures of psychological well-being. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 49, 349–358.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Smith, T. B., McCullough, M. E., & Poll, J. (2003). Religiousness and depression: Evidence for a main effect and the moderating influence of stressful life events. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 614–636.PubMedCrossRef Smith, T. B., McCullough, M. E., & Poll, J. (2003). Religiousness and depression: Evidence for a main effect and the moderating influence of stressful life events. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 614–636.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Socha, P. M. (1999). Ways religious orientations work: A Polish replication of measurement of religious orientations. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 9, 209–228.CrossRef Socha, P. M. (1999). Ways religious orientations work: A Polish replication of measurement of religious orientations. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 9, 209–228.CrossRef
go back to reference Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R., Lushene, R., Vagg, P. R., & Jacobs, G. A. (1983). Manual for the state-trait anxiety inventory (Form Y). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press. Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R., Lushene, R., Vagg, P. R., & Jacobs, G. A. (1983). Manual for the state-trait anxiety inventory (Form Y). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
go back to reference Steger, M. F., & Frazier, P. (2005). Meaning in life: One link in the chain from religion to well-being. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 574–582.CrossRef Steger, M. F., & Frazier, P. (2005). Meaning in life: One link in the chain from religion to well-being. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 574–582.CrossRef
go back to reference Stucke, T. S., & Sporer, S. (2002). When a grandiose self-image is threatened: Narcissism and self-concept clarity as predictors of negative emotions and aggression following ego-threat. Journal of Personality, 70, 509–532.PubMedCrossRef Stucke, T. S., & Sporer, S. (2002). When a grandiose self-image is threatened: Narcissism and self-concept clarity as predictors of negative emotions and aggression following ego-threat. Journal of Personality, 70, 509–532.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Vartanian, L. R. (2009). When the body defines the self: Self-concept clarity, internalization, and body image. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 28, 94–126.CrossRef Vartanian, L. R. (2009). When the body defines the self: Self-concept clarity, internalization, and body image. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 28, 94–126.CrossRef
go back to reference Witter, R. A., Stock, W. A., Okun, M. A., & Haring, M. J. (1985). Religion and subjective well-being in adulthood: A quantitative synthesis. Review of Religious Research, 26, 332–342.CrossRef Witter, R. A., Stock, W. A., Okun, M. A., & Haring, M. J. (1985). Religion and subjective well-being in adulthood: A quantitative synthesis. Review of Religious Research, 26, 332–342.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Self-Concept Clarity and Religious Orientations: Prediction of Purpose in Life and Self-Esteem
Authors
Magdalena Błażek
Tomasz Besta
Publication date
01-09-2012
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 3/2012
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-010-9407-y

Other articles of this Issue 3/2012

Journal of Religion and Health 3/2012 Go to the issue