Religiosity and sense of purpose among older adults: lack of moderation by race/ethnicity, ethnic identity, and social support

Past research on association between religiosity and sense of purpose have demonstrated consistent, yet small- to medium-sized correlations. The current study evaluated potential factors that may influence the magnitude of these associations in an older adult community-based sample. The current study employed the most recent questionnaire assessment from the St. Louis Personality and Aging Network (SPAN) study, which is a representative sample of older adults in St. Louis City and County. Participants (N = 732; M_age = 68 years; 76% White, 24% Black/African American) reported on their sense of purpose, religiosity across three facets, ethnic identity levels, and social support. Analyses examined association between sense of purpose and religiosity both separately by the indicators and the general composite, and multiple regression models tested whether race/ethnicity, ethnic identity, or social support moderated purpose–religiosity associations at the composite level. Sense of purpose was associated with religiosity to a medium-sized magnitude (r =.22). Associations were similar in magnitude across all religiosity facets examined (rs =.17 to.22). Moreover, no significant moderation effects were evidenced with respect to race/ethnicity, ethnic identity, or social support.