Teleological Explanation and Positive Emotion Serially Mediate the Effect of Religion on Well-Being

Objective: Previous research has demonstrated a robust relationship between religiosity and well-being, and it has been proposed that positive emotions are important mediators of this effect. Yet the mechanism via which religiosity promotes positive emotions has not been widely studied. We sought to examine whether teleological explanations of daily events and resulting positive emotions serially mediated the effects of religiosity on well-being. Method: These hypotheses were tested over three studies. In study 1, participants completed measures of religiosity and well-being, and explained and described three recent personally significant events and their resulting emotions. Studies 2 and 3 adopted an ecological momentary assessment approach to measure teleological explanations, resulting emotions, and well-being in almost real time. Results: In study 1, teleological explanations and positive emotions partially and serially mediated the effects of religiosity on well-being. In study 2, momentary teleological explanations of daily events fully mediated the positive relationship between religiosity and momentary positive emotions. In Study 3, full serial mediation of the relationship between religiosity and momentary well-being by momentary teleological explanations and positive emotions was observed. Conclusions: These results provide evidence of the importance of teleological explanations of daily events in religious enhancement of well-being.