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The relationships of family income and caste-status with religiousness: Mediation role of intolerance of uncertainty

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  • Sanjay Kumar
  • Martin Voracek

Abstract

The relationship between lower socioeconomic status (SES) and religiousness is well known; however, its (psychological mediation) mechanism is not clear. In the present study, we studied the mediation role of intolerance of uncertainty (IU; a personality measure of self-uncertainty) in the effect of SES on religiousness and its dimensions (i.e., believing, bonding, behaving, and belonging), in two different samples (students sample, N = 868, and community sample, N = 250), after controlling the effects of factors like age, sex, handedness, and self-reported risk-taking. The results showed that IU mediated the effects of lower family income and lower caste status (in students’ sample only) on religiousness and its dimensions; higher caste status had a direct effect on religiousness (and its dimensions), and; among the sub-factors of IU, only prospective IU affected religiousness. Thus, along with showing that IU is a mediator of the effects of lower family income and lower caste status on religiousness, the present study supports the contention that religiousness is a latent variable that varied factors can independently initiate. Moreover, the present study suggests a nuanced model of the relationship between the hierarchical caste system and religiousness.

Suggested Citation

  • Sanjay Kumar & Martin Voracek, 2022. "The relationships of family income and caste-status with religiousness: Mediation role of intolerance of uncertainty," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(8), pages 1-33, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0273174
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273174
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    1. Gökhan Aydogan & Remi Daviet & Richard Karlsson Linnér & Todd A. Hare & Joseph W. Kable & Henry R. Kranzler & Reagan R. Wetherill & Christian C. Ruff & Philipp D. Koellinger & Gideon Nave, 2021. "Genetic underpinnings of risky behaviour relate to altered neuroanatomy," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 5(6), pages 787-794, June.
    2. Zacharias, Ajit & Vakulabharanam, Vamsi, 2011. "Caste Stratification and Wealth Inequality in India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(10), pages 1820-1833.
    3. repec:plo:pone00:0211929 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Jeanet Sinding Bentzen, 2013. "Origins of Religiousness: The Role of Natural Disasters," Discussion Papers 13-02, University of Copenhagen. Department of Economics.
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