Religiosity and subjective wellbeing of the elderly in Chile: a mediation analysis

ABSTRACT Aging raises several new challenges for the elderly, such as ensuring their wellbeing. Using a nationally representative sample, we studied the association between religiosity and the subjective wellbeing of the elderly in Chile, developing two possible mediation mechanisms for the role of social religiosity and private religiosity, respectively. Using linear regression models and statistical mediation analysis, we found that the association between attending religious services and satisfaction with life is mediated by social networks and the availability of support. While the relationship between praying and satisfaction was corroborated, the mediating effect of self-efficacy was not confirmed.