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Does Self-Transcendent Wisdom Mediate the Relation between Spirituality and Well-Being? A Test Across Six Nations

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Listed:
  • Monika Ardelt

    (University of Florida)

  • Juensung J. Kim

    (University of Toronto)

  • Michel Ferrari

    (University of Florida)

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to examine whether self-transcendent wisdom mediates the positive relation of spirituality on general well-being and life satisfaction. Design and Participants: We used ANOVA, bivariate correlations, and multi-group path analyses to assess whether spirituality is positively related to life satisfaction (LS) and general well-being (GWB), and whether these relations are mediated by self-transcendent wisdom (STW). Our sample included 630 adults (aged 19 to 99 years) from six countries (the USA, Canada, Serbia, Ukraine, Iran, and China), with approximately equal representation of young and older adults by nation and by gender. Results: Despite differences by nation in the means of spirituality, STW, LS, and GWB, self-transcendent wisdom fully mediated the positive association between spirituality and general well-being in all six nations. Self-transcendent wisdom partially mediated the positive relation between spirituality and life satisfaction in Canada, Iran, and China. In the USA, Serbia, and Ukraine, spirituality had only an indirect effect on life satisfaction, mediated by self-transcendent wisdom. Conclusions: The relation between spirituality and subjective well-being is mediated by self-transcendent wisdom among participants in Asian, East European, Middle-Eastern and North American national cultures, despite their very different religious and political systems. This finding suggests that spirituality tends to result in greater subjective well-being through the transcendence of egocentric concerns.

Suggested Citation

  • Monika Ardelt & Juensung J. Kim & Michel Ferrari, 2023. "Does Self-Transcendent Wisdom Mediate the Relation between Spirituality and Well-Being? A Test Across Six Nations," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(5), pages 1683-1702, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:5:d:10.1007_s10902-023-00637-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-023-00637-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Romin Tafarodi & Greg Bonn & Hanyu Liang & Jiro Takai & Satoshi Moriizumi & Vivek Belhekar & Amruta Padhye, 2012. "What Makes for a Good Life? A Four-Nation Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(5), pages 783-800, October.
    2. Thao Le, 2011. "Life Satisfaction, Openness Value, Self-Transcendence, and Wisdom," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(2), pages 171-182, April.
    3. Judith Glück & Susan Bluck, 2011. "Laypeople's Conceptions of Wisdom and Its Development: Cognitive and Integrative Views," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 66(3), pages 321-324.
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