Abstract
Although prior studies have documented a positive association between religiosity and sense of meaning in life, the role of
specific religious beliefs is currently unclear. Past research on images of God suggests that loving images of God will positively
correlate with a sense of meaning and purpose. Mechanisms for this hypothesized relationship are drawn from prior work on
attachment theory, religious coping, and symbolic interaction. We suggest that these mechanisms are complementary and that
secure attachment styles, reliable coping strategies, and positive self-images work in tandem to facilitate a sense of meaning
and purpose. Using a random, national sample from the second wave of the Baylor Religion Survey, we perform multivariate regression analysis that controls for key religious and demographic effects. In our full model,
results indicate that the dependent variable is positively associated with student status, religious non-affiliation, congregational
friendship networks, and frequency of prayer. Most important from the perspective of the present study, the connection between
loving images of God and a sense of meaning and purpose is consistent and robust.
specific religious beliefs is currently unclear. Past research on images of God suggests that loving images of God will positively
correlate with a sense of meaning and purpose. Mechanisms for this hypothesized relationship are drawn from prior work on
attachment theory, religious coping, and symbolic interaction. We suggest that these mechanisms are complementary and that
secure attachment styles, reliable coping strategies, and positive self-images work in tandem to facilitate a sense of meaning
and purpose. Using a random, national sample from the second wave of the Baylor Religion Survey, we perform multivariate regression analysis that controls for key religious and demographic effects. In our full model,
results indicate that the dependent variable is positively associated with student status, religious non-affiliation, congregational
friendship networks, and frequency of prayer. Most important from the perspective of the present study, the connection between
loving images of God and a sense of meaning and purpose is consistent and robust.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-20
- DOI 10.1007/s11205-011-9982-7
- Authors
- Samuel Stroope, Department of Sociology, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97326, Waco, TX 76798-7326, USA
- Scott Draper, Department of Sociology, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97326, Waco, TX 76798-7326, USA
- Andrew L. Whitehead, Department of Sociology, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97326, Waco, TX 76798-7326, USA
- Journal Social Indicators Research
- Online ISSN 1573-0921
- Print ISSN 0303-8300