THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SPIRITUALITY BETWEEN RELATIONSHIP OF RESILIENCE AND COPING

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a critical developmental stage characterized by profound cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes. This period often leads individuals to seek meaning and purpose in life, with spirituality serving as a pathway for inner peace and coping during adversity. Spirituality has been linked to enhanced resilience and adaptive coping strategies, yet its role as a mediator in the relationship between resilience and coping remains underexplored. This study focuses on understanding the mediating influence of spirituality among adolescents and young adults.

Objective: The objective was to examine the mediating role of spirituality in the relationship between resilience and coping in adolescents and young adults.

Methods: A quantitative, correlational research design was employed to assess the mediation effect of spirituality. The sample included 200 participants (100 males and 100 females) aged 15–30 years, recruited through purposive convenient sampling from universities and colleges in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Exclusion criteria included participants younger than 15 or older than 30, married individuals, and those with known psychological impairments. Data were collected using the Spiritual Health Assessment Scale (SHAS), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and Coping Scale. Participants provided informed consent, and confidentiality was maintained throughout the study. IBM SPSS Statistics was used for data analysis, including correlation, mediation, and t-test analyses.

Results: indings indicated a significant positive relationship between coping, resilience, and spiritual health. Spirituality partially mediated the relationship between coping and resilience (c’ = 0.12, t = 2.233, p = 0.02), with coping predicting spirituality (a = 0.8, t = 6.35, p < 0.01) and spirituality predicting resilience (b = 0.07, t = 2.65, p = 0.009). The total effect (t = 3.66, p = 0.0003) further supported this mediation. Gender differences were non-significant (p > 0.05), and spiritual health was found to be independent of age. Participants with stronger coping abilities exhibited higher resilience.

Conclusion: The study concluded that spirituality significantly mediates the relationship between coping and resilience, serving as a critical support mechanism for adolescents and young adults facing adversity. The findings underscore the value of fostering spiritual health to enhance psychological well-being, irrespective of age or gender.