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01-06-2016 | Original Paper

Religion, Purpose in Life, Social Support, and Psychological Distress in Chinese University Students

Authors: Zhizhong Wang, Harold G. Koenig, Hui Ma, Saad Al Shohaib

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 3/2016

Abstract

We examined the relationship between religious involvement and psychological distress and explored the mediating effects of social support and purpose in life in university students in western, mid-western, and eastern China. Cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 1812 university students was conducted. The Purpose in Life scale, Duke Social Support Index, and Religious Commitment Inventory-10 were administered, along with Kessler’s Psychological Distress Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to test two models of the mediation hypothesis, examining direct, indirect, and total effects. Model 1 (with direction of effect hypothesized from religiosity to psychological distress) indicated that religious involvement had a direct effect on increasing psychological distress (β = 0.23, p < .01) with minor mediated effects. However, Model 2 (with direction of effect hypothesized from psychological distress to religiosity) indicated strong indirect protective effects of religiosity on psychological distress through purpose in life and social support (β = −.40, p < .01). The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that psychological distress increases religious involvement, which then increases purpose in life and social support that then lead to lower psychological distress.

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Title: Religion, Purpose in Life, Social Support, and Psychological Distress in Chinese University Students
Authors: Zhizhong Wang
Harold G. Koenig
Hui Ma
Saad Al Shohaib
Publication date: 01-06-2016
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-016-0184-0

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