Masculine God Imagery Shapes the Association between Empathic Concern and Life Satisfaction

Previous research has shown that empathic concern has positive implications for psychological well-being. The purpose of this research is to examine how masculine God imagery moderates this association. Using data from a nationwide sample of adults in South Korea ( n = 1,498), the analyses reveal that empathic concern is positively associated with both life satisfaction and happiness net of religious and demographic controls. Importantly, masculine God imagery modifies the association between empathic concern and life satisfaction. Specifically, empathic concern is positively associated with life satisfaction among individuals who do not endorse beliefs in a masculine God. By contrast, empathic concern is not associated with life satisfaction among those who believe that God is masculine. Yet, this moderating effect of masculine God imagery does not emerge with regard to happiness. Collectively, these observations suggest that masculine God imagery is a critical contingency in the relationship between empathic concern and life satisfaction.