Effect of Religiosity on Citizenship and Social Competence with Complementary Role of Materialism and Mediatory Role of Religious Socialization and Empathy

Abstract

It appears that religion is a strong predictor of citizenship behavior. But how it affects citizenship is an open question. This study attempted to answer this by proposing a theoretical framework. We modified Pratono (2017) model explaining the effect of empathy and materialism in between religiosity and citizenship, and including religious socialization and social competence in accordance with Seol and lee (2012) framework. We hypothesize that religiosity increases the Religious socialization among Parents, Friends, and mentors. This increased socialization positively affects empathy, and that would ultimately lead to positive citizenship and social competence. We also theorized that materialism complements the impact of religiosity on both citizenship and social competence. The empirical validity of this theory was established by conducting a survey based on a close-ended Likert scale type questionnaire. Data was collected from 309 respondents belonging to Karachi and analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results suggested Religiosity has a positive and significant effect on the Religious socialization of friends, parents, and peers. Religiosity also has a direct positive effect on citizenship. Religious socialization with mentors has a positive significant effect on empathy, whereas empathy leads to social competence. With regards to materialism, it has a positive significant effect on Social Competence, however, it negatively complemented the impact of religiosity on social competence. Hence, the findings imply that Religiosity encourages Religious socialization with mentors that create empathy that would lead to social competence. Moreover, materialism curbs the effect of religiosity on social competence. We also explain religiosity citizenship link using a social psychological model developed by Graham and Haidt (2010).