Religiosity, Socioeconomic Status, and the Sense of Mastery

Using data from a representative sample of adults in Toronto, we ask, "Is religiosity related to the sense of mastery?" Cross-sectional analyses document a negative association between religiosity and mastery. We also test alternative predictions about the potential moderating effects of education and income ("resource amplification" versus "compensation"): results support the amplification hypothesis. Cross-sectional findings indicate that the negative association between religiosity and mastery is stronger among the poorly educated. As the level of education increases, this association reverses and becomes positive. In addition, the decrease in mastery associated with baseline religiosity is largest among people with the lowest income. Yet the effect of baseline religiosity on change in mastery does not vary by level of education. We discuss our findings in the context of recent literature on religiosity, socioeconomic statuses, and the self-concept, as well as their implications for sociological study of the effects of religious beliefs and actions on mental health outcomes.