Love Thy Self? How Belief in a Supportive God Shapes Self-Esteem

Previous research raises the question of self-esteem as a fundamental human need, but also indicates that self-esteem is an inherently social product. Is religious involvement influential—and does it depend on beliefs about God? In this research, we examine the associations between multiple dimensio...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Schieman, Scott (Author) ; Bierman, Alex (Author) ; Ellison, Christopher G. 1960- (Author)
Contributors: Upenieks, Laura (Other)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer [2017]
In: Review of religious research
Year: 2017, Volume: 59, Issue: 3, Pages: 293-318
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B USA / / 支持 / 自我价值感觉 / Religiöses Engagement
RelBib Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
AE Psychology of religion
KBQ North America
NBC Doctrine of God
Further subjects:B Attendance
B Self-concept
B Divine support
B Religious Beliefs
B Self-esteem
B Born-again
B Prayer
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:Previous research raises the question of self-esteem as a fundamental human need, but also indicates that self-esteem is an inherently social product. Is religious involvement influential—and does it depend on beliefs about God? In this research, we examine the associations between multiple dimensions of religious involvement and self-esteem, and specifically focus on the belief in a supportive higher power (“divine support”) as a central influence in this relationship. Analyses of a national probability sample of adults from the US (2004 General Social Survey) reveal two central findings: (1) divine support helps to explain a positive association between religious involvement and self-esteem; (2) divine support strengthens that association. These findings contribute to the growing discussion about beliefs about God—especially as an engaged, involved, and influential force in everyday life—and the association with different components of the self-concept. Our observations underscore the need for more research on the intersection of beliefs and practices in shaping various facets of personal functioning.
ISSN:2211-4866
Contains:Enthalten in: Review of religious research
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s13644-017-0292-7