The effects of prayer on anxiety and performance
Abstract
In an increasingly diverse workforce, it is important that we understand the effects of religious diversity including the impact of religious beliefs and behaviors on workplace outcomes. In this study, prayer was tested as a strategy to reduce anxiety and cognitive interference and thereby increase performance on a cognitive task. Religious beliefs were examined as potential mediators of the relationship between prayer and the outcomes of interest. In a two by three factorial design, one hundred and ninety-eight college student participants were randomly assigned to receive either high anxiety or low anxiety task instructions and to either read a prayer or read one of two control passages. Personal religious beliefs of God image were tested as moderators of the relationship between prayer and anxiety, cognitive interference, and performance. To better understand relationships found in previous research, extrinsic and intrinsic religious orientations were tested as moderators of the relationship between situational characteristics and anxiety outcomes. The results showed little effect of reading a prayer on anxiety and cognitive interference, but a significant decrease in performance when reading a prayer under high anxiety conditions. This significant relationship became non-significant when analyzing data from only those who actually prayed.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Weiss, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Occupational psychology
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.