The Moderating Role of Stress on the Relationship between Religiosity and Mental Health among Women in Ghana

Abstract

This study examined the influence of religiosity on the mental health and whether stress moderated the relationship between religiosity and mental health. In a cross-sectional survey design,a total of 200 women living in Accra at the time of data collection were purposively and conveniently sampled for the study. Participant's demographic characteristics, mental health, religiosity and stress were assed using demographic questionnaire, Mental Health Inventory, Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale respectively.Results from Pearson Product Moment and Hierarchical Multiple Regression analysis revealed that religiosity had a significant positive relationship with mental health and predicted mental health significantly.  Stress had a strong negative relationship with mental health and also moderated the relationship between religiosity and mental health significantly. It is concluded from this study that mental health of women is significantly associated with their levels of religiosity and stress, and stress influences the religiosity-mental health link. This study provides the empirical basis for further research into mental health of women in Accra.