Is there a Divine Reward? Spirituality/Religiosity (S/R) Protects from Work Dissatisfaction and Reduces Stress Load

Abstract

Increasing work stress is held responsible for the increasing number of days of incapacity to work due to mental disorders. Various individual and structural causes of stress have been identified, whereas possible compensating interactions in the sense of the person-environment-fit approach are so far not investigated. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that S/R (spirituality/religiousness) can compensate a gratification crisis, i. e. the mismatch between effort and reward. Standardized questionnaires assessed stress (TICS), gratification crisis (ERI) and S/R (SBI) in a multicenter cross-sectional study, asking employees in psychiatric rehabilitation centers. The interaction (moderator effect) was tested by analysis of variance. No interaction (moderator model) was found but an indirectly adaptive association between S/R and stress load: religious/spiritual employees felt more rewarded and thus a gratification crisis was prevented. An additional gift of God? We propose a theoretical process model for further investigation. The results are relevant to stress prevention programs.