The Mediational Role of Psychological Basic Needs in the Relation Between Conception of God and Psychological Outcomes

Relatively few studies have examined the relationship between conception of God and psychological outcomes in a self-determination theory (SDT) framework. The aim of this study was to examine the role of basic psychological needs as a mediator of the association between conception of God and psychol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of religion and health
Authors: Costa, Sebastiano (Author) ; Larcan, Rosalba (Author)
Contributors: Gugliandolo, Maria C. (Other) ; Barberis, Nadia (Other)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer Science + Business Media B. V. [2016]
In: Journal of religion and health
IxTheo Classification:AE Psychology of religion
AG Religious life; material religion
NBC Doctrine of God
Further subjects:B Self-determination theory
B conception of God
B Depression
B Vitality
B Basic needs
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
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Description
Summary:Relatively few studies have examined the relationship between conception of God and psychological outcomes in a self-determination theory (SDT) framework. The aim of this study was to examine the role of basic psychological needs as a mediator of the association between conception of God and psychological outcomes. In a sample of 210 religious young adults, we found that the concept of a controlling God was positively associated with feelings of need frustration and depression, whilst the concept of an autonomy-supporting God was positively associated with feelings of need satisfaction and vitality. In turn, need satisfaction promoted feelings of vitality, whereas need frustration led to feelings of depression. The satisfaction of needs was a full mediator of the relationship between autonomy-supporting God and vitality, whilst the frustration of needs was a full mediator of the relationship between controlling God and depression. These findings are discussed in terms of SDT. We also discuss how future research may further increase our understanding of the dynamics involved in concepts of God and psychological outcomes.
ISSN:1573-6571
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of religion and health
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s10943-014-9956-6