title: Reduced Sense of Coherence Due to Neuroticism: Are Transcendent Beliefs Protective Among Catholic Pastoral Workers?
abstract: In this study, we examined a third variable effect on the relationship of personality traits, especially neuroticism and the salutogenetic concept sense of coherence. Specifically, we were interested in the moderating role of religious trust (RT) and transcendence perception operationalized as daily spiritual experiences (DSE) on the aforementioned relationship among religious individuals. We applied a cross-sectional study among a sample of 8594 pastoral workers using standardized questionnaires. Multiple regression and moderator analysis displayed the relationships between big five personality variables and sense of coherence. Neuroticism was identified as a negative predictor to sense of coherence, indicating impairment on this psychological resource. RT and DSE appear to function as moderators that buffer the negative effects of neuroticism on sense of coherence among religious persons. This is an interesting finding because people with expressions of neurotic personality tendencies often struggle to find helpful methods of coping and may find a helpful resource in the concepts studied here.
authors: Caritas Science and Christian Social Work, Faculty of Theology, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany. philipp.kerksieck@theol.uni-freiburg.de.
authors: Philipp
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5327-3668
authors: P
authors: Kerksieck
authors: Quality of Life, Spirituality and Coping, Faculty of Health, Institute for Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Herdecke, Germany.
authors: Arndt
authors: A
authors: Büssing
authors: Munich School of Philosophy and Professorship of Spiritual Care, University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors: Eckhard
authors: E
authors: Frick
authors: Pastoral Psychology and Sociology, Faculty of Theology, University of Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany.
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Jacobs
authors: Caritas Science and Christian Social Work, Faculty of Theology, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Baumann
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002410:Catholicism / Q000523:psychology*; D002977:Clergy / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000075384:Neuroticism; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D060685:Sense of Coherence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Daily spiritual experiences; German pastoral ministry study; Neuroticism; Religious trust; Sense of coherence