The role of religious coping and commitment in the link between COVID-19-related concerns and mental health

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether the associations between COVID-19-related concerns and anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic growth are mediated by religious coping and moderated by religious commitment. The sample comprised 247 Polish adults (125 women and 122 men) aged 18–60 years who completed measures of COVID-19-related concerns, religious coping, religious commitment, posttraumatic growth, anxiety, and depression. The results indicated that religious coping mediates the associations between COVID-19-related concerns and mental health outcomes. Furthermore, religious commitment moderates the indirect effects of COVID-19-related concerns on depression and posttraumatic growth through positive religious coping. Thus, the relationships between COVID-19-related concerns and depression and posttraumatic growth are embedded in the moderated mediating effect of religious commitment. Specifically, individuals with high levels of religious commitment who are more concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic are more likely to turn to positive religious coping, which is, in turn, associated with lower levels of depression and higher levels of posttraumatic growth compared to those with lower levels of religious commitment. The findings indicate that religious strategies fall within the broader scope of religious commitment. Highly committed individuals use religious coping more effectively, helping them manage depression and thrive amidst pandemic stress.