An examination of the relationship between prayer and subjective well-being

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.

Date of Award	2007
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Steven J. Scher (Supervisor)