LE3 .A278 2022

2022

Bell, Kathryn
Holmberg, Diane

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Psychology

Psychology

Increased attention has been paid recently to examining the standalone associations of psychological aggression and victims’ mental distress, above and beyond the detrimental associations of physical aggression. The negative associations of psychological aggression perpetrated by various sources was examined, and the outcomes associated with intimate partner and non-intimate partner psychological aggression on victims’ mental well-being were directly compared. Additionally, though certain coping strategies have been shown to buffer the adverse effects of psychological aggression on victims’ mental health, prayer as a coping method has received relatively little scientific attention. The present study sought to examine prayer as a predictor of psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the potential moderating effects of prayer on the association between psychological aggression and victims’ mental well-being. Participants (N = 596) took part in a longitudinal diary study examining daily experiences of psychological aggression perpetrated by intimate partner and non-intimate partner sources, daily use of prayer, and mental well-being. Results indicated a significant positive relationship between psychological aggression victimization and levels of psychological distress, which was not moderated by source of perpetration. A weak negative relationship was found between prayer and psychological distress; however, prayer did not moderate the relationship between victimization of psychological aggression and psychological distress.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3803