Exploring Religious Beliefs, Coping, and Psychological Well-Being Among S?moan People

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between religious commitment (RCI), religious/spiritual (RS) coping, and psychological well-being (PWStotal) among S?moan people. Four research questions guided the research into whether RCI was associated with PWStotal, whether RCI was associated with collectivistic coping styles, specifically RS coping, and whether RS coping mediated the relationship between RCI and PWStotal. Results revealed higher RCI was positively associated with greater PWStotal, but this relationship was primarily mediated by RS coping. Moreover, RCI was moderately negatively correlated with RS coping (r = –.46), which implies individuals with stronger or more consistent RCI were less likely to rely on stress-driven RS coping. In contrast, greater use of RS coping was linked to lower well-being (r = –.27). A mediation analysis further revealed nearly half (47.6%) of the positive effect of RCI on PWStotal was explained through its influence on reducing RS coping. These findings highlighted the protective role of religiosity in the S?moan community, suggesting integrating faith into daily life promotes resilience more effectively than relying on faith only during times of crisis. This study underscored religion’s role as both a coping resource and a broader cultural framework for well-being among Samoans. The results not only offer a theoretical insight into RCI as a cultural buffer but also practical guidance for clinicians working with the S?moan populations.