Religiosity Reduces Family-Related Uncertainties but Exacerbates Their Association with Distress

The present study investigated the role of religiosity in dealing with family-related uncertainties (e.g., uncertainty concerning fertility decisions or the stability of family relationships) that arise from current social change in industrialized nations. We hypothesized that religiosity, because i...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Lechner, Clemens 1985- (Author) ; Tomasik, Martin (Author) ; Silbereisen, Rainer K. 1944- (Author) ; Wasilewski, Jacek 1950- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group 2014
In: The international journal for the psychology of religion
Year: 2014, Volume: 24, Issue: 3, Pages: 185-200
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Electronic
Description
Summary:The present study investigated the role of religiosity in dealing with family-related uncertainties (e.g., uncertainty concerning fertility decisions or the stability of family relationships) that arise from current social change in industrialized nations. We hypothesized that religiosity, because it is a central source of family values and norms, reduces individuals' perceived load of family-related uncertainties. At the same time, because perceiving family-related uncertainties may conflict with religious values and norms concerning the family, we expected that religiosity exacerbates the association of these uncertainties with psychological distress. Structural equation modeling with latent interactions in a sample of 2,571 Polish adolescents and adults 20 to 46 years of age supported these predictions. Although modest in magnitude, associations held after controlling for potential sociodemographic confounders. Our study reveals the complex role of religiosity in dealing with family-related uncertainties and underscores the importance of attending to potential downsides of this otherwise beneficial resource.
ISSN:1532-7582
Contains:Enthalten in: The international journal for the psychology of religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/10508619.2013.847700