The Relationship Between Anxiety, Self-Esteem, and Religiosity Among College Students at a Private Christian University

ABSTRACT This study investigates the relationships among anxiety, self-esteem, and religiosity in a sample of 131 college students attending a private Christian university. Anxiety is a prevalent mental health concern for college students, often leading to detrimental effects on academic performance and overall well-being (Center for Collegiate Mental Health, 2020, 2022, as cited in Tan et al., 2023). Self-esteem, a critical component of self-concept, plays a significant role in mental health outcomes, with lower self-esteem linked to higher levels of anxiety (Baumeister et al., 2003; Beck, 1967). Religiosity has been identified as a potential coping mechanism, offering emotional support and fostering a sense of purpose and community (Franklin, 2016; Taylor et al., 2004). The study aimed to explore whether religiosity moderates the relationship between anxiety and self-esteem. Three hypotheses were tested: (1) self-esteem will be negatively correlated with anxiety, (2) religiosity will be negatively correlated with anxiety, and (3) religiosity will moderate the relationship between anxiety and self-esteem by reducing the strength of the association when controlling for religiosity. Participants completed three validated instruments: the Religious Commitment Inventory-10 (Worthington, 2003), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (Beck et al., 1988). Findings revealed a significant negative correlation between self-esteem and anxiety (r = -.40, p < .001) and a positive correlation between self-esteem and religious commitment (r = .18, p < .05). However, religious commitment was not directly correlated with anxiety (r = -.10, p = .13) and did not moderate the relationship between anxiety and self-esteem when controlled for. These results suggest that religiosity may play an indirect role in mental health by influencing anxiety and self-esteem separately. This study contributes to the understanding of how anxiety, self-esteem, and religiosity interact, offering valuable insights into potential coping mechanisms for college students, particularly within faith-based educational settings. Future research should further explore the nuanced role of religiosity and its potential mediating factors to support holistic mental health interventions for young adults.