TY - JOUR
T1 - The Relation Between Religion/Spirituality and Mental Health Is Mediated by Self-Compassion
T2 - Evidence From Two Longitudinal Studies in the Dutch-Speaking General Population
AU - Bodok-Mulderij, Ineke
AU - Schaap-Jonker, Hanneke
AU - Klaassen-Dekker, Anneleen
AU - Boselie, Jantine
AU - Jacobs, Nele
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 American Psychological Association
PY - 2023/8
Y1 - 2023/8
N2 - This research investigates the mediating role of self-compassion on the relation between religion/spirituality (R/S) and mental health. Self-compassion is hereby defined as a positive attitude toward the self, expressed as the tendency to be gentle, caring, and understanding toward oneself especially when faced with personal shortcomings or failures. The two-continua model of mental health, in which psychopathology and wellbeing are seen as two related but different dimensions of mental health. Two independent longitudinal studies are reported. Study 1 assessed 874 participants and Study 2 assessed 1,029 participants of the Dutchspeaking general population. A path analysis was conducted using Preacher and Hayes software to test a mediational model in both samples separately. The results of both studies showed that R/S was significantly associated with respectively less depression symptoms and less anxiety symptoms. Additionally, results showed that R/S was significantly positively related to well-being. More positive feelings and less anxiety toward God/the divine predicted more subsequent mental well-being and less depression and anxiety. Furthermore, the mediating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between R/S and depression/ anxiety symptoms was observed as well as the mediating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between R/S and well-being. To support mental health it seems to be the most optimal to focus on both R/S and self-compassion interventions within health care treatment programs.
AB - This research investigates the mediating role of self-compassion on the relation between religion/spirituality (R/S) and mental health. Self-compassion is hereby defined as a positive attitude toward the self, expressed as the tendency to be gentle, caring, and understanding toward oneself especially when faced with personal shortcomings or failures. The two-continua model of mental health, in which psychopathology and wellbeing are seen as two related but different dimensions of mental health. Two independent longitudinal studies are reported. Study 1 assessed 874 participants and Study 2 assessed 1,029 participants of the Dutchspeaking general population. A path analysis was conducted using Preacher and Hayes software to test a mediational model in both samples separately. The results of both studies showed that R/S was significantly associated with respectively less depression symptoms and less anxiety symptoms. Additionally, results showed that R/S was significantly positively related to well-being. More positive feelings and less anxiety toward God/the divine predicted more subsequent mental well-being and less depression and anxiety. Furthermore, the mediating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between R/S and depression/ anxiety symptoms was observed as well as the mediating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between R/S and well-being. To support mental health it seems to be the most optimal to focus on both R/S and self-compassion interventions within health care treatment programs.
KW - depression and anxiety
KW - mental health
KW - religion/spirituality
KW - self-compassion
KW - well-being
U2 - 10.1037/rel0000501
DO - 10.1037/rel0000501
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85167816957
SN - 1941-1022
VL - 15
SP - 407
EP - 417
JO - Psychology of Religion and Spirituality
JF - Psychology of Religion and Spirituality
IS - 3
ER -