The experience of meaning in life as a mediator variable in the relationship between religiousness and psychological adjustment

This study aims to test the hypothesis that the relationship between religiousness and psychological well-being could be mediated by the levels of meaning or purpose in life a person experiences. A survey study was carried out. A sample comprising 1553 participants from Latin America (87.6 % female), with age ranging from 18 to 70 years (M = 40.16, DE = 16.02) completed a questionnaire survey including measures of meaning in life (Purpose in Life Test) and psychological adjustment (Satisfaction with Life Scale, Subjective Happiness Scale, GHQ-12, and PANAS). Results indicated that practicing-believers reported, overall, higher levels of well-being, and lower levels of psychological symptoms and negative affect, compared with non-practicing believers. Non-practicing believers, in turn, presented better psychological adjustment, compared with nonbelievers. The relationships between religiousness and psychological adjustment was partially or fully mediated by scores of meaning in life, with practicing believers reporting highest levels. We conclude that perception of meaning and purpose in life is a key variable to understand the relationship between religion and well-being.