Purpose in Life Mediates the Relationship Between Religiosity/Spirituality and Depression and Anxiety
Open Access
- Author:
- Shank, Emily
- Area of Honors:
- Psychology
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Michelle Gayle Newman, Thesis Supervisor
Sarah Myruski, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- psychology
depression
anxiety
religion
spirituality
purpose in life
mediation - Abstract:
- Past findings have identified a significant relationship between R/S and mental health outcomes (Bonelli et al., 2012; Bonelli & Koenig, 2013; Olson et al., 2012; Rosmarin et al., 2013; Whitehead & Bergeman, 2020; Lorenz et al., 2019; Doolittle & Farrell, 2004; Peselow et al., 2014). Researchers have gone so far as to identify what mechanisms may mediate this association (Boylan et al., 2023; Krok, 2015; Steger & Frazer, 2005). However, relatively few studies have investigated the mediating effects of purpose in life on this relationship. This study aimed to examine whether purpose in life mediates the relationship between R/S and depression and anxiety. Data from the first Midlife in the United States (MIDUS 1) survey was utilized, comprising 7,108 participants (Brim et al., 1995-1996). To analyze this, the present study conducted Baron and Kenny’s (1986) linear regression mediation analysis, using R/S as a predictor, purpose in life as a mediator, and depression and anxiety as outcomes. These results were then reconfirmed using Andrew Hayes’ (2022) PROCESS Macro mediation analysis to find the total, direct, and indirect effects. From this, no significant correlation between R/S and either depression or anxiety was found. Baron and Kenny’s method showed a significant negative association between purpose in life and both depression and anxiety when controlling for R/S. Moreover, Hayes’ PROCESS Macro found a significant indirect effect of R/S on both depression and anxiety. Despite past research pointing towards a significant negative correlation between R/S and depression/anxiety, the present study found that these variables lacked such association. However, purpose in life mediated the relationship between R/S and both depression and anxiety. This outcome provides insight into how other factors, like purpose, can influence the effects of R/S on a person’s psychopathology.