Teleological explanation and positive emotion serially mediate the effect of religion on well‐being

Ramsay, Jonathan E., Tong, Eddie M.W., Chowdhury, Avijit, and Ho, Moon-Ho R. (2019) Teleological explanation and positive emotion serially mediate the effect of religion on well‐being. Journal of Personality, 87 (3). pp. 676-689.

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Abstract

Objective: Previous research has demonstrated a robust relationship between religion and well‐being, and it has been proposed that positive emotions are important mediators of this effect. Yet the mechanism via which religion promotes positive emotions has not been widely studied. We sought to examine whether teleological explanations of daily events and resulting positive emotions serially mediated the effects of religion on well‐being.

Method: These hypotheses were tested over three studies. In study 1, participants completed measures of religiousness and well‐being, and explained and described three recent personally significant events and their resulting emotions. Studies 2 and 3 adopted an ecological momentary assessment approach to measure teleological explanations, resulting emotions, and well‐being in almost real time.

Results: In study 1, teleological explanations and positive emotions serially mediated the effects of religiousness on well‐being. In study 2, momentary teleological explanations of daily events mediated the positive relationship between religiousness and momentary positive emotions. In Study 3, serial mediation of the relationship between religiousness and momentary well‐being by momentary teleological explanations and positive emotions was observed.

Conclusions: These results provide evidence of the importance of teleological explanations of daily events in religious enhancement of well‐being.

Item ID: 54853
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1467-6494
Keywords: religion, teleological explanations, positive emotions, well-being, ecological momentary assessment
Copyright Information: © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Accepted Version: this article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.
Funders: Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
Projects and Grants: SUSS ARC Research Grant RF15UC01a
Date Deposited: 31 Jul 2018 23:49
FoR Codes: 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5205 Social and personality psychology > 520504 Psychology of religion @ 67%
50 PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES > 5005 Theology > 500599 Theology not elsewhere classified @ 33%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970117 Expanding Knowledge in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences @ 50%
95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9504 Religion and Ethics > 950404 Religion and Society @ 25%
95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9504 Religion and Ethics > 950499 Religion and Ethics not elsewhere classified @ 25%
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