The mediating role of coping in the relationships between religiousness and mental health

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between religiousness and mental health within the mediational perspective of religious coping. The existing empirical evidence indicates that specific aspects of religiousness are associated with mental health indices. Yet, less is known about the nature of these associations and mediating mechanisms between both factors. The theory of religious coping as a mediator was employed so as to explain how religiousness is linked with mental health and what mechanisms shape the associations. The results demonstrated that religious coping can be regarded as a mediator between religiousness and mental health dimensions. Religious coping is expressed in two main forms: positive and negative that are linked to positive and negative mental health outcomes, respectively. People draw on these two religious coping methods in times of major life crises in order to make sense of trauma and loss, and to alleviate stress. The theoretical analyses showed that when religiousness contains structures of orientation and meaning, it enables individuals to attain positive functioning and well-being that reflects mental health.