Social
Does race moderate the relation between spirituality and well-being? Results from the mid life in United States (MIDUS) study, refresher sample, 2011-2014 Yusuf Ransome* Amparo Oliver Yusuf Ransome José Manuel Tomás
Spirituality is a key social determinant driving public health and wellbeing ecosystem (Ransome, 2020; WHO, 2012). There is evidence about its contribution to overall health and wellbeing (Oliver et al, 2015; Soto-Rubio et al, 2020; Torres et al, 2023) mostly in aging populations. When considering social ethnicity in the overall health-wellbeing measuring some paradoxical results arise. Black-White ratio of flourishing and free of any mental illness shows that more Blacks, before any adjustments for social inequality or discrimination, have better overall mental health than Whites (Keyes, 2007).
We aim to study the moderation or potential different contributions of spirituality to blacks’ and whites’ well-being.
Methodology
Data from MIDUS R (Midlife in the United States, 2011-2014) comprising 3577 participants aged 23 to 76 (M = 50.5, SD = 14.4), 51.9% females, 82.3% White, 7.7% Black and/or African American was analyzed. A MIMIC model was estimated with Mplus 8.11 using MLR methods analyzing Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality (BMMRS) including spiritual mindfulness, coping styles and daily experiences plus Well-being measured by Ryff’s scale with its 6 dimensions (7 items each): Autonomy, Environmental Mastery, Personal Growth, Positive Relations with Others, Purpose in Life, Self-Acceptance.
Results
The MIMIC model was first estimated in the overall sample. This model’s fit was good (ꭓ2(29)=516.479, p<0.001; RMSEA=0.08, 90% CI [0.074, 0.086]; CFI=0.941; SRMR=0.037) as it was its prediction of wellbeing (R2= .194). Later this model was tested for ethnicity moderation with a multigroup routine (blacks and whites), with results showing the model did not change by ethnicity.
Discussion
This preliminary study testing model invariance by race provides an unbiased assessment supporting evidence on the similar importance of spirituality on well-being. Thus, spirituality-based initiatives could promote wellbeing in American society with equity.
Keywords: spirituality; well-being; moderation effect; race; MIDUS R survey