The Moderating Effects of Religious Coping on the Relationship between Spirituality and Flourishing under High Adversity

This study investigates the moderating effects of positive and negative religious coping on the relationship between spirituality and flourishing in individuals facing high adversity. The research addresses a gap in existing literature predominantly focused on WEIRD populations. The study employed multiple regression analyses and bootstrapping techniques to evaluate these relationships. The findings reveal that positive coping significantly enhances the positive relationship between spirituality and flourishing, particularly under high-stress conditions, whereas negative coping exacerbates stress, diminishing well-being. Specifically, high spirituality combined with positive coping strategies resulted in greater flourishing despite high-stress levels. Conversely, negative coping undermined these benefits. The implications underscore the importance of fostering positive coping mechanisms alongside spiritual practices to promote resilience and well-being. This study supports the existential positive psychology framework, emphasising the role of suffering in authentic well-being and aligning with the concept of complementarity in second-wave positive psychology.