title: The Mediational Role of Psychological Basic Needs in the Relation Between Conception of God and Psychological Outcomes.
abstract: Relatively few studies have examined the relationship between conception of God and psychological outcomes in a self-determination theory (SDT) framework. The aim of this study was to examine the role of basic psychological needs as a mediator of the association between conception of God and psychological outcomes. In a sample of 210 religious young adults, we found that the concept of a controlling God was positively associated with feelings of need frustration and depression, whilst the concept of an autonomy-supporting God was positively associated with feelings of need satisfaction and vitality. In turn, need satisfaction promoted feelings of vitality, whereas need frustration led to feelings of depression. The satisfaction of needs was a full mediator of the relationship between autonomy-supporting God and vitality, whilst the frustration of needs was a full mediator of the relationship between controlling God and depression. These findings are discussed in terms of SDT. We also discuss how future research may further increase our understanding of the dynamics involved in concepts of God and psychological outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Section of Psychology, Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Messina, Via Bivona, 98122, Messina, Italy. scosta@unime.it.
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Section of Psychology, Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Messina, Via Bivona, 98122, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gugliandolo
authors.affiliation: Section of Psychology, Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Messina, Via Bivona, 98122, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barberis
authors.affiliation: Section of Psychology, Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Messina, Via Bivona, 98122, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosalba
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Larcan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Basic needs; Conception of God; Depression; Self-determination theory; Vitality