How Does Religious Commitment Affect Satisfaction with Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic? Examining Depression, Anxiety, and Stress as Mediators

Abstract

The effect of religiosity on individuals is seen more in stressful situations. Religion strengthens people in coping with the issues given rise by COVID-19 due to its contributions, such as reducing death fear and giving hope. The impact of religious commitment on COVID-19 fear, psychological consequences, and satisfaction with life levels in the COVID-19 period is investigated. To measure this impact of religious commitment, a cross-sectional study was designed with 2810 adults in Turkey. For this purpose, religious commitment, COVID-19 fear, DASS-21, and satisfaction with life scales were used. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted to test the formed hypotheses. First, the impact of religious commitment on satisfaction with life with depression, anxiety, and stress was tested. Then, the moderating impact of COVID-19 fear in terms of the effect of religious commitment on satisfaction with life was analyzed. Finally, the role of depression's mediation and COVID-19 fear's moderation in terms of the impact of religious commitment on satisfaction with life was found. It was found that satisfaction with life decreased more in those with high COVID-19 fear than those with low COVID-19 fear; additionally, religious commitment increased satisfaction with life by reducing depression.