Religious coping, religious support, and psychological functioning among short-term missionaries

Abstract

Effects of positive and negative religious coping and received religious support (from God, co-workers, and team leaders) on psychological functioning were examined among 98 Protestant college students. Students participated in two-month missions trips to various destinations. Before going (Time 1), trait anger and life satisfaction were assessed. Upon returning (Time 2), religious coping and religious support were measured, and trait anger and life satisfaction were reassessed. Cross-sectional Time 2 analyses revealed significant effects of both religious support and religious coping on psychological functioning. Findings included a positive relationship between negative religious coping and trait anger, a positive relationship between team support and life satisfaction, and an interaction of positive religious coping and received God support on life satisfaction. All these findings remained significant even after controlling for initial levels of psychological functioning. Findings are discussed with respect to applications to training programmes for short-term missionaries.