(PS7-98) Negative religious cognitions and belief in fate and destiny as predictors for self-efficacy among displaced individuals

Abstract Text: The use of positive religious coping is associated with higher rates of self-efficacy (Dolcos et al., 2021). However, little is known about the relationship between negative religious cognitions and self-efficacy. A strong belief in fate and destiny may additionally influence this relationship as individuals who maintain that fate and destiny have great power may believe they do not have the agency or ability to affect change in their lives. Alternatively, a strong belief in fate and
destiny may offer a sense of security that a higher power is in control of their lives. This study
examined the relationship among negative religious cognitions (Religious and Spiritual Struggle
Scale [RSS]), belief in fate and destiny (Fate and Destiny Scale [FDS]), and self-efficacy
(General Self-Efficacy Scale [GSE]) in displaced adults. We hypothesized that individuals who
report higher negative religious cognitions and a greater belief in fate and destiny would exhibit
lower levels of self-efficacy.

Participants (N = 286, 70% Male, M_Age = 32 years) were a global sample of adults responding to a Mechanical Turk Survey on the role of faith, stress, resilience, and the refugee experience for those who identified as asylum seekers, refugees, internally displaced persons, or stateless
persons as defined by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The majority (96%)
identified as religious. Eligible individuals completed online self-report measures, which included the RSS, FDS, and GSE.

Overall, participants reported moderate levels of negative religious cognitions (M = 2.68, SD =
1.08, Range = 1 - 5), moderately high belief in fate and destiny (M = 26.46, SD = 6.58, Range =
8 - 40), and moderate levels of self-efficacy (M = 28.5, SD = 5.45, Range = 10 - 40).
Preliminary results indicated a significant effect of belief in fate and destiny and negative
religious cognitions on self efficacy (F (2, 268 = 8.12, p < .001). Those with stronger beliefs in
fate and destiny (d = 1.91) and higher negative religious cognitions (d = 2.63) reported lower
levels of self-efficacy than those with reduced beliefs in fate and destiny and lower negative
religious cognitions.

These findings align with previous research suggesting that negative religious coping is
associated with reduced dimensions of well-being, such as self-efficacy (Pérez & Smith, 2014). A greater belief in fate and destiny and higher negative religious cognitions may result in decreased perception of personal agency, which could diminish self-efficacy levels. Reducing negative religious cognitions and developing adaptive beliefs in fate and destiny may increase one’s sense of self-efficacy. This may be of particular importance for displaced individuals, who largely identify as religious, as they may be more likely develop negative religious cognitions or hold strong beliefs in fate and destiny compared to individuals who do not identify as religious. Future research can explore interaction effects and moderators in the relationship between negative religious cognitions and belief in fate and destiny.