Loneliness has become a defining challenge of contemporary life, eroding not only psychological health but also the deeper sense of meaning, belonging, and transcendence that supports human flourishing. While public health efforts emphasize restoring social contact, far less attention has been given to how spiritual connectedness (i.e., an inner sense of relationship to the sacred, to ultimate meaning, or to a community of shared belief) may serve as a source of resilience.
Guided by Sir John Templeton’s conviction that scientific inquiry and spiritual wisdom together illuminate the fullest dimensions of human experience, this project examines whether spiritual connectedness buffers the negative effects of loneliness and social isolation on well-being. Using a survey of 600 diverse adults, we will assess subjective loneliness, objective social isolation (Social Network Index), private spiritual experiences, communal spiritual engagement, and well-being.
Applying social identity theory and the stress-buffering model, we will test whether (a) spiritual connectedness attenuates the association between loneliness and diminished well-being, (b) communal spirituality provides stronger buffering effects than private spirituality, and (c) these patterns vary across demographic and belief-based groups. Findings will advance scientific understanding of the spiritual foundations of resilience, clarify mechanisms through which spiritual life contributes to flourishing, and generate practical resources, including a peer-reviewed article, open-access practice brief, public infographic, and a de-identified dataset. By integrating rigorous psychological methods with enduring questions about meaning, purpose, and the sacred, this project directly advances the Foundation’s mission to deepen knowledge of the spiritual dimensions of human life and promote human flourishing.
