Author(s)

Marylie W. Gerson

Department of Psychology, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA.

This study addressed the possible differential impact of various types of spirituality, perceived social support, and positive emotions on resilience and life satisfaction in emerging adulthood. Undergraduates at two universities (N = 428) completed the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10; Connor & Davidson, 2003); Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS; Diener et al., 1985); Spirituality Scale (Delaney, 2005) to assess intrapersonal, interpersonal, and transpersonal types of spirituality; Multidimensional Scale of Social Support (MSPSS; Zimet et al., 1988) to assess perceived social support; and Dispositional Positive Emotions Scale (DPES; Shiota et al., 2006) to assess various positive emotions. As hypothesized, intrapersonal spirituality, perceived social support, and positive emotions predicted both resilience and life satisfaction, but differed in their relative contributions to each type of well-being. Intrapersonal spirituality and pride predicted resilience, but perceived social support predicted resilience primarily as mediated through positive emotions. Intrapersonal spirituality, perceived social support, and contentment predicted life satisfaction. Resilience and pride predicted life satisfaction only as mediated through contentment. Although transpersonal spirituality and social support may generate resilience in some populations, needs specific to emerging adulthood may favor factors that promote a focus on meaning and purpose in life, independence, and strength.

Resilience, Life Satisfaction, Spirituality, Social Support, Positive Emotions

Gerson, M. (2018) Spirituality, Social Support, Pride, and Contentment as Differential Predictors of Resilience and Life Satisfaction in Emerging Adulthood. Psychology, 9, 485-517. doi: 10.4236/psych.2018.93030.