Date of Award

Summer 8-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Program/Concentration

Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology

Committee Director

Andrew Franklin

Committee Member

Sage Hawn

Committee Member

Scott Debb

Abstract

This study examined the mechanisms between interpersonal and doubt-related struggles and well-being outcomes in a formerly religious sample. The focus of this dissertation was to analyze the mediating roles of disengagement from God and perceived social support. Approach toward God was also examined as a control but not specified to be connected to the well-being outcomes given the emphasis on formerly religious individuals’ experiences. This was a retrospective study, where participants were asked to consider their responses as they relate to the time they were pulling away from religion. Three measures of well-being were explored using structural equation modeling. Positive affect and negative affect were examined retrospectively, while purpose in life was examined currently. Additionally, correlational analyses were explored to determine if there were relationships between purpose in life and measurements of paranormal beliefs and spirituality. It was determined that perceived social support fully mediated the relationship between interpersonal struggles and purpose in life. Perceived social support and disengagement from God also fully mediated the relationship between interpersonal struggles and positive affect. Interpersonal struggles and doubt had a positive direct effect on negative affect, but there were no significant indirect effects in this model. Notably, doubt did not significantly predict the mediators in any of the models. The exploratory correlations also revealed purpose in life negatively correlated with belief in a higher power and spiritual fulfillment as well as several paranormal beliefs. These results demonstrate the importance of mediating roles in the relationship between religious struggles and different measures of well-being. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie these relationships may inform what resources are depleted by withdrawing from religion and guide future interventions.

Comments

A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculties Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology through the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/pbgp-9z61

ISBN

9798193214335

ORCID

0000-0002-0714-8994

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