Noel Maturlu

Published in ssue 1.1 // LaB Press

http://doi.org/10.63994/cvq4pd

KEYWORDS: Spirituality, Positive Religious Coping, Suffering, Adversity, Flourishing

Abstract

This study investigates the moderating effects of positive and negative religious coping on the relationship between spirituality and flourishing in individuals facing high adversity. The research addresses a gap in existing literature predominantly focused on WEIRD populations. The study employed multiple regression analyses and bootstrapping techniques to evaluate these relationships. The findings reveal that positive coping significantly enhances the positive relationship between spirituality and flourishing, particularly under high-stress conditions, whereas negative coping exacerbates stress, diminishing well-being. Specifically, high spirituality combined with positive coping strategies resulted in greater flourishing despite high-stress levels. Conversely, negative coping undermined these benefits. The implications underscore the importance of fostering positive coping mechanisms alongside spiritual practices to promote resilience and well-being. This study supports the existential positive psychology framework, emphasising the role of suffering in authentic well-being and aligning with the concept of complementarity in second-wave positive psychology.

About the Author

Dr Noel Maturlu is the Director of Love and Bliss, a non-profit organisation, and Editor-in-Chief of The LaB Press—home to the Journal of Positive Psychology, Agapology, and Spirituality. A licensed minister and pastor, psychologist, psychotherapist, and senior lecturer, he has authored numerous books and scholarly articles. His research and publications pivot around the decolonisation of the slavery mentality and the cultivation of a prosperity mindset. At the heart of his work is the nexus between spirituality, adversity, and human flourishing, with particular emphasis on advancing the flourishing of Afro-descendant communities both on the continent and across the diaspora.