The Interactional Role of Dysfunctional Attitudes in the Relationship Between Religiosity and Existential

Authors : Şerife Ericek Maraşlıoğlu

Pages : 566-580

Doi:10.52637/kiid.1733222

View : 157 | Download : 152

Publication Date : 2025-12-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :According to the findings of the Turkish General Social Survey (TGSS), feelings of loneliness are more prevalent among young people. Due to the frequent changes in values, emotions and thoughts that characterise individuals during this period of life, it can be said that they are particularly vulnerable to loneliness. Existential loneliness, a deeper form of loneliness, is also referred to as ultimate loneliness. Potential triggers for young individuals to experience existential loneliness include meaninglessness and the inability to make oneself understood or express one\\\'s feelings. However, loneliness has been associated with various mental and physical health problems, there is insufficient research on individuals experiencing existential loneliness during adolescence. Against this backdrop, the present study aims to examine the mediating role of dysfunctional attitudes in the relationship between religiosity and existential loneliness in individuals in early adulthood. Ethical approval for the study was granted by the Gümüşhane University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee on 28/05/2025 (approval number 2025/5). The study included 408 participants (294 women and 114 men) aged between 18 and 29. Data were obtained using the Religiosity Scale, the Existential Loneliness Scale , and the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale. These were analysed using IBM SPSS AMOS and the PROCESS add-on module for SPSS. Correlation analysis revealed that religiosity was negatively associated with existential loneliness and dysfunctional attitudes, while existential loneliness and dysfunctional attitudes were positively associated with each other. Additionally, the analyses revealed that dysfunctional attitudes played a mediating role in the relationship between religiosity and existential loneliness. The mediation analysis conducted within the scope of the study was performed using the PROCESS macro (Model 4). Interventions targeting dysfunctional attitudes and promoting a healthier self-concept/self-image could be crucial in safeguarding young adults against existential loneliness. These results shed light on potential psychological mechanisms that explain the effect of religiosity on loneliness experienced by young people.
Keywords : Din Psikolojisi, Dindarlık, Varoluşsal Yalnızlık, Fonksiyonel Olmayan Tutumlar, Gençlik Dönemi.

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