Journal of Modern Science (Oct 2023)

The mediating role of spiritual engagement in the relationship between religiosity and religious coping. Cross-sectional study among polish students

  • Barbara Ślusarska,
  • Krzysztof Jurek,
  • Alina Deluga,
  • Grzegorz Nowicki,
  • Iwona Niewiadomska

DOI
https://doi.org/10.13166/jms/173502
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 52, no. 3
pp. 634 – 669

Abstract

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Objectives The aim of this study was to determine how spiritual engagement may mediate the relationship between an individual's religiosity and their use of religious coping strategies. Material and methods A total of 342 students from two universities in eastern Poland participated in the study. The average age was 20.85 [95% CI: 20.607-21.095] years old. The data were collected using the two standardized scales: the Brief - Religious Coping Questionnaire (Brief RCOPE) and Spiritual Attitude and Involvement List (SAIL). Results It was observed that positive religious coping strategies prevailed among the students surveyed. The highest-rated SAIL subscale was the Meaningfulness (4.65; 95% CI: 4.571-4.723), while the lowest was Transcendent Experience (3.28; 95% CI: 3.172-3.384). Significant positive correlations were found between the six areas of spirituality assessed by the SAIL scale and positive religious coping strategies. The results showed a significant total effect of religiosity on positive religious coping (beta=0,755; B=7.665;p<0.001; 95% CI: 6.30; 8.40).The direct effect of religiosity on positive religious coping was significant (beta=0,562; B=5.706; p<0.001; 95% CI: 4.85; 6.56). The effect of religiosity on positive religious coping was partially mediated by Transcendent Experiences and Spiritual Activities. The total indirect effect was 0.193 (95% CI: 0.125; 0.265). Conclusions The introducing aspects of spirituality and religiosity into higher education programs can help students of both medical and non-medical faculties to respond to the many difficult situations of daily life and move forward with a sense of achieving their designated tasks and goals.

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