Defensive Religion as a Source of Meaning in Life: A Dual Mediational Model

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2013

Publication Source

Psychology of Religion and Spirituality

Volume Number

5

Issue Number

3

First Page

227

Last Page

232

Publisher

Educational Publishing Foundation- American Psychological Association

ISSN

1941-1022

Abstract

Religion is a prominent source of meaning in life. However, the content of religious belief systems varies considerably. Previous research suggests that defensive religion serves an existential function but has yet to empirically substantiate its relation to existential outcomes. The present research extends previous work by (a) examining whether defensive religion serves as a source of meaning in life, and (b) identifying mediators of that relationship. We propose a dual mediation model of the meaning-serving function of defensive religiousness. Path analysis revealed that defensive religion was related to meaning in life, and this relationship was mediated by belief in literal immortality and religious commitment. These results suggest that defensive religious beliefs are a source of meaning in life.

Keywords

Defensive Religion, Religion, Meaning, Terror Management, Meaninglessness, Psychology

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