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Quality of Life Research
Published in: Quality of Life Research 5/2016

01-05-2016

Religion as problem, religion as solution: religious buffers of the links between religious/spiritual struggles and well-being/mental health

Authors: Hisham Abu-Raiya, Kenneth I. Pargament, Neal Krause

Published in: Quality of Life Research | Issue 5/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

Previous studies have established robust links between religious/spiritual struggles (r/s struggles) and poorer well-being and psychological distress. A critical issue involves identifying the religious factors that buffer this relationship. This is the first study to empirically address this question. Specifically, it examines four religious factors (i.e., religious commitment, life sanctification, religious support, religious hope) as potential buffers of the links between r/s struggle and one indicator of subjective well-being (i.e., happiness) and one indicator of psychological distress (i.e., depressive symptoms).

Method

We utilized a cross-sectional design and a nationally representative sample of American adults (N = 2140) dealing with a wide range of major life stressors.

Results

We found that the interactions between r/s struggle and all potential moderators were significant in predicting happiness and/or depression. The linkage between r/s struggle and lower levels of happiness was moderated by higher levels of each of the four proposed religious buffers. Religious commitment and life sanctification moderated the ties between r/s struggles and depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

The findings underscore the multifaceted character of religion: Paradoxically, religion may be a source of solutions to problems that may be an inherent part of religious life.
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Metadata
Title
Religion as problem, religion as solution: religious buffers of the links between religious/spiritual struggles and well-being/mental health
Authors
Hisham Abu-Raiya
Kenneth I. Pargament
Neal Krause
Publication date
01-05-2016
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Quality of Life Research / Issue 5/2016
Print ISSN: 0962-9343
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2649
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-015-1163-8

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