Graduate Program
Clinical Psychology
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Semester of Degree Completion
2007
Thesis Director
Steve Scher
Thesis Committee Member
Unknown
Thesis Committee Member
Unknown
Abstract
The present study examined the relationship between types of prayer (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, reception, and obligation) and self-esteem, life satisfaction, and life meaning, while testing optimism, belief in prayer, and spiritual support as mediators. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine relationships. Optimism was confirmed as a mediator between adoration and life satisfaction, thanksgiving and life satisfaction, and thanksgiving and self-esteem. Spiritual support was confirmed as a mediator between reception and life meaning. As hypothesized, optimism played a large role in predicting well-being, especially in adoration and thanksgiving, prayer focused on positive themes. Overall, prayer was shown to predict various forms of well-being, validating the hypothesis that prayer is a beneficial activity for those who do so.
Recommended Citation
Whittington, Brandon L., "An examination of the relationship between prayer and subjective well-being" (2007). Masters Theses. 909.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/909
