Life Satisfaction in Adults: The Effect of Religiosity, Worry, and Perceived Physical Health State

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the relations of religiosity, worry, and perceived physical health state with various aspects of life satisfaction (i.e., emotional, social, and goal-related). The effects of individual differences factors (gender, age, and marital status) on life satisfaction were also explored. The sample consisted of 238 Greeks aged from 24 to 54 years. Results showed that participants were moderately to highly satisfied with their life and reported moderate levels of religious beliefs (e.g., belief in God) and low involvement in religious practices. They also reported moderate levels of worry and quite high perceived physical health state. Path analysis showed that personal/emotional life satisfaction was predicted by religious beliefs, general worry, and perceived health state; social life satisfaction was predicted by involvement in religious practices and worry, whereas goal-related life satisfaction was predicted by the two religiosity factors and absence of worry. General worry was predicted by religious beliefs, whereas involvement in religious practices predicted absence of worry. Overall, findings showed that religiosity influences life satisfaction both directly and indirectly through worry.