Interrelations of religiousness/spirituality, meaning in life, and mental health

Abstract

Drawing on Erikson’s and Marcia’s identity development theories, this study examined (a) the interrelations of religious/spiritual identity formation and meaning in life (MIL) and (b) their relations to mental health (i.e. life satisfaction, depression, anxiety) by including age as a moderator. Web-survey data of 132 US American adults were analyzed using correlations, a multinominal-logistic regression, and hierarchical multiple regressions. Religiousness/spirituality (R/S) and MIL indicated slight to moderate associations with each other across current search, search history, and presence. The overlap between the four identity statuses (i.e. diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, achievement) of R/S and MIL further supported the interconnectedness of the two identities. R/S current search and search history were positively associated with both R/S presence and MIL presence, whereas MIL current search and search history were not related to either variable. The associations of MIL and mental health were especially salient. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses further supported that MIL, compared to R/S, better predicted mental health outcomes. MIL presence was favorable, while MIL current search was unfavorably related to mental health. Although MIL presence was important for life satisfaction across ages, it was particularly important later in life. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.