Loneliness has emerged as a global public health crisis, contributing to elevated risks for depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality. Moments of acute social pain—such as rejection, or conflict—are among the most potent triggers of loneliness, yet little is known about whether people benefit from spiritual resources during these experiences of social distress.
One profound but understudied resource is spiritual connection. Many people experience a personal relationship with God as one of their most stable and enduring bonds, and emerging evidence suggests that this connection can ease feelings of loneliness. However, existing research is almost entirely correlational and has not examined whether and for whom spiritual connection can foster resilience against the negative health consequences of acute social pain.
Across five complementary studies—including correlational surveys, controlled experiments, and a 14-day daily intervention—this project will illuminate how individuals may benefit from turning to God as an enduring and profound source of support. These studies will also reveal which specific facets of spiritual life (a secure attachment to God, benevolent conceptualization of God, and frequent engagement in religious and spiritual practices) are most protective, offering a more comprehensive account of spiritual resilience as a health-protective process.
This project will therefore elucidate the interplay between people’s human and spiritual relationships, demonstrating how a relationship with God can compensate when human bonds are threatened. By identifying how spiritual connection shapes resilience in the moments when loneliness is most acute, this project advances scientific understanding of a powerful but neglected pathway to well-being. Findings will offer new insights for public health, clinical practice, and community interventions by illuminating how people can draw on spiritual resources when social bonds are strained.
