Prayer, Attachment to God, and Changes in Psychological Well-Being in Later Life.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prayer and attachment to God on psychological well-being (PWB) in later life.

METHOD

Using data from two waves of the nationwide Religion, Aging, and Health Survey, we estimate the associations between frequency of prayer and attachment to God at baseline with cross-wave changes in three measures of PWB: self-esteem, optimism, and life satisfaction.

RESULTS

Prayer does not have a main effect on PWB. Secure attachment to God is associated with improvements in optimism but not self-esteem or life satisfaction. The relationship between prayer and PWB is moderated by attachment to God; prayer is associated with improvements in PWB among securely attached individuals but not those who are insecurely attached to God.

DISCUSSION

These findings shed light on the complex relationship between prayer and PWB by showing that the effects of prayer are contingent upon one's perceived relationship with God.