Explaining Eudaimonic Well-Being: The Role of Religiousness and Patience

Background and Objectives: The lives of all people without mental disorders are not equally healthy and fruitful, and not necessarily healthier and more fruitful than the lives of people with such disorders. Therefore, identifying psychological variables that affect well-being can play a significant role in applying these variables in practical situations. The aim of this study was to codify a structural model to explain eudaimonic well-being based on religiousness dimensions and patience, as a mediator variable. Methods: In this correlational study, 527 students of the University of Shiraz were selected by random multi-stage cluster sampling. Data collection was conducted by Religiosity Scale, Patience Scale, and Questionnaire for Eudaimonic Well-Being, with adequate levels of reliability and validity to be used in Iranian culture. Data analysis was conducted by SPSS 21 and AMOS 21. Results: Path analysis in structural equation modeling showed that the proposed model fitted well with the data, and direct effect of religiousness on eudaimonic well-being, religiousness on patience, and patience on eudaimonic well-being was confirmed. The model also showed that indirect effect of religiousness, mediated by patience, caused well-being level to be promoted more markedly than direct effect of eudaimonic well-being. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the coefficients of the emotions and beliefs dimensions of religiousness on eudaimonic well-being were greater than those of outcomes and rituals. It is therefore suggested to train religious teachings and rituals accompanied by patience, as a moral virtue, and put greater emphasis on the internalization and institutionalization of beliefs (such as self-knowledge and God) and religious feelings (such as attachment to God) to improve the well-being of life, rather than ritual and outcomes dimensions.