Changes in Religiosity and Reliance on God during the Covid-19 Pandemic

A Protective Role under Conditions of Financial Strain

Bibliographic Data

ID4232191
AuthorsL Upenieks (0000-0002-1200-2471, Baylor University, corresponding author), C G Ellison (0000-0002-6585-5160, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, USA)
Year2022
Volume64
Issue4
Pages853-881
Publication date2022-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReview of Religious Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2211-4866 • E-ISSN: 0034-673X
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s13644-022-00523-z
PMID36618767
OpenAlexW4313480681
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited92

Background The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most devastating disasters of the twenty-first century and has exacted a steep health and economic toll. During times of suffering caused by the pandemic, religion/spirituality may prove to be a consistent and valuable coping resource. Purpose We situate changes in religious importance and reliance on God as key aspects of religious life that may be important coping mechanisms in response to pandemic-related financial hardship, addressing a gap in the literature on religious coping during the pandemic and considering self-reported changes in religiosity. Methods We use data from a nationally representative sample of Americans that was collected in 2021 (N = 1704) and employ a series of OLS Regression Models. Results Our results suggest that relying more heavily on God was associated with lower psychological distress, and a stronger reliance on God buffered the deleterious consequences of financial strain on psychological distress. No such patterns were documented for religious importance. Conclusion and Implications We discuss our findings within the broader religion and health literature as to whether secondary control via a divine power reduces or enhances individual agency and discuss religion/spirituality may be a consistent and valuable coping resource through adversity and suffering. Though it may be challenging to maintain, or increase, religious/spiritual beliefs in the face of adversity, that there were observed benefits to well-being for doing so could serve as insightful guidance for both religious leaders and R/S individuals

Coping (psychology) · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) · Disease · Distress · Pandemic · Religiosity · Spirituality · Clinical Psychology · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion · Medicine · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology · Workplace Spirituality and Leadership

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