Dispositional Religiosity Predicts Increased Incidence of Mixed Emotions: Evidence Across Five Studies Spanning Two Countries.

Abstract

Across five studies (total N = 8,414), we examined whether religious individuals experienced more mixed emotions. Studies 1 and 2 examined associations between dispositional religiosity and mixed emotions, while Study 3 provided a pre-registered replication. Study 4 provided a pre-registered exploratory examination of three potential mediators of the relationship between dispositional religiosity and mixed emotions: trait dialecticism, cognitive reappraisal, and fear of God. Finally, Study 5 provided pre-registered prospective analyses testing associations between dispositional religiosity and mixed emotions 1 month later. Across all studies, positive and negative emotions were also examined, and latent variable structural equation modeling was performed, controlling for age, gender, education, and income. A multilevel multivariate meta-analysis was then performed to aggregate key findings. Results indicated that dispositional religiosity was associated with increased mixed emotions and positive emotions but not negative emotions. Additionally, fear of God was supported as a potential mediator between dispositional religiosity and mixed emotions.