Religiosity and well-being of Pentecostals and Catholics: a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

Abstract

This study examined the differences in religiosity and well-being between Catholics and Pentecostals. Subsidiary investigations were also carried out in the area of purpose in life and affect intensity. Religiosity was expected to moderate purpose in life in terms of well-being and affect intensity was expected to differ between the two groups. Subjects were selected from Catholic and Pentecostal Bible study groups. There were 122 Catholics and 125 Pentecostals. Respondents completed a questionnaire which contained measures of well-being, affect intensity, purpose in life, religiosity, and demographic information. Results indicated that there were differences between the two groups on all religiosity variables except knowledge. Both did not differ on well-being measures except on positive affect. There were no differences in affect intensity between them. Lastly, religiosity did not moderate purpose in life but both religiosity and purpose in life had independent effects on well-being. Purpose in life accounted for a greater proportion of variance than religiosity.