Structural Relationships between Religiosity and Social Health in Female-Headed Households: The Mediating Role of Family Social Support

The social health of female-headed households are affected by factors such as religiosity and social support that their family social support is influenced by religiosity. The aim of this study was to determine the structural relationships between religiosity and social health in female-headed households mediated by family social support.

The research method is descriptive-correlation. The statistical population included all female-headed households in Rasht in 2019. Among them, 358 people were selected by cluster random sampling method. Demographic questionnaire, "Social Well-being Questionnaire", "Religiosity Questionnaire", "Family Social Support Questionnaire" were used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS.24 and Amos.24.

The total path coefficient between religiosity and family social support (P <0.01, β= 0.266) and the total path coefficient between family social support and social health (P <0.01, β= 0.492) were positive and significant at the level of 0.01. The indirect path coefficient between religiosity and social health was positive and significant at the level of 0.01 (P<0.01, β=0.131). 

In the present study, it was concluded that family social support mediates the relationship between religiosity and social health among female-headed households. In order to empower and improve the mental health of female heads of households, it is suggested to hold educational workshops under the title of religiosity and provide family social support to these women.