Las variables numinosas como predictores del malestar psicológico entre creyentes colombianos practicantes y no practicantes

Abstract

Religious and spiritual aspects have relevant implications for mental health. This study evaluated the positive and negative effects of numinous variables on psychological distress in a sample of 367 Colombian adults. Using an explanatory design, the Assessment of Spirituality and Religious Sentiments (ASPIRES) was applied to measure religious participation and crisis, while religious orientation was assessed with the Age Universal I-E Scale-12, emotions toward God with the Emotions Toward God Questionnaire, and psychological distress with the General Health Questionnaire-12. A structural equation model was constructed to explain psychological distress based on the functional relationships established between religious involvement, religious crisis, intrinsic religious orientation, and positive and negative emotions toward God (χ²/gl = 2.07, RMSEA = .054, CFI = .993, TLI = .978, NFI = .986, NNFI = .978, GFI = .993, AGFI = .950, SRMR = .019). A second multigroup model compared the effects of variables on practicing and non-practicing believers (χ²/gl = 2.16, RMSEA = .080, CFI = .972, TLI = .915, NFI = .951, NNFI = .915, GFI = .989, AGFI = .928, SRMR = .032). The results suggest differential mechanisms of influence on distress; moreover, these mechanisms vary by believer type. The findings of the study offer important contributions for the design of strategies of social intervention and at the level of psychological therapy, considering the role of the numinous on mental health.

Keywords

Psychological distress

Religion

Religious crisis

Spirituality

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