A Predictive Model of SpiritualWell-being Based on Belief in a Just World Mediated by the Positive and Negative Affects in University Students

Spiritual well-being is crucial in human health and reduces anxiety and depression. Therefore, identifying its underlying variables can improve individuals’ health.

This study aimed to predict a model of spiritual well-being based on belief in a just world mediated by positive and negative effects in university students of Tehran.

Thiswasa descriptive correlation study performed through path analysis. The statistical population consisted of students studying at different universities of Tehran during 2020 - 2021. The research sample comprised 301 university students (199 female and 102 male). The participants completed the SpiritualWell-Being Scale, Belief in a JustWorld Scale, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The model was evaluated using path analysis in AMOS 24.0.

The results showed that the path coefficient between positive affect and spiritual well-being was positive and significant, and the path coefficient between negative affect and spiritual well-being was negative and significant (P < 0.001). The total path coefficient between the belief in a just world (BJW) and spiritual well-being was positive and significant, and the path coefficient between the belief in an unjust world (BUW) and spiritual well-being was negative and significant (P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant positive indirect path coefficient between BJW and spiritual well-being (P < 0.001). Accordingly, the positive and negative affects played positive mediating roles between BJW and spiritual well-being.

Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that BJW, positive effects, and strengthening them can enhance the level of spiritual well-being and reduce the students’ negative effect, anxiety, and depression levels.