We've come this far by faith: an examination of religiosity, psychological well-being, a need to belong, and a fear of negative evaluation amongst African Americans
Abstract
The focus of this study was to explore the relationships between a person's religiosity and the need for belonging, a fear or negative evaluation and overall psychological well-being. Additionally, this study sought to examine the effect of religion, a need for belonging, and a fear of negative evaluation on psychological well-being. The primary hypothesis for this study was that religion would directly predict psychological well-being, while a need to belong and a fear of negative evaluation would have variable predictive ability in relation to psychological well-being. It was also hypothesized that inverse relationships would be found between religion and a need to belong and direct positive relationships would be found between a need to belong and a fear of negative evaluation. The sample included 126 African American college students who attended Tennessee State University in the Spring of 2012. In order to obtain adequate information on religiosity, psychological well-being, a need to belong, and a fear of negative evaluation, a number of instruments were selected for inclusion in this study. Unique personal information was obtained through a demographics questionnaire. Results indicated that religion did not predict psychological well-being nor did a need to belong or a fear or negative evaluation. Additionally, weak relationships were found between a fear of negative evaluation and a need to belong and between intrinsic religion and a fear of negative evaluation. These findings were somewhat inconsistent with previous research. Limitations and recommendations for future research are suggested.
Subject Area
African American Studies|Religion|Counseling Psychology
Recommended Citation
Dana M Foster,
"We've come this far by faith: an examination of religiosity, psychological well-being, a need to belong, and a fear of negative evaluation amongst African Americans"
(2012).
ETD Collection for Tennessee State University.
Paper AAI3540657.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI3540657