Turning to Religion as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Hopelessness and Job Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Individuals Representing the Uniformed Services or Working in Professions of Public Trust in Poland

Introduction. During the COVID-19 pandemic individuals performing uniformed service or working in a profession of public trust are particularly exposed to chronic stress.  The consequences of stress in turn translate into a decrease in quality of life across various domains, including professional functioning. The perceived mental difficulties can lead to feeling of hopelessness, which in turn can generate a decrease in job satisfaction. Religiosity is a factor which, in stress-inducing conditions, not only stops the spiral of perceived resource losses but also triggers gains in the resources possessed.

Aim. In this study, we tested - in the light of Conservation of resources theory (COR) - whether during the COVID-19 pandemic, the preference for positive religious coping strategies (turning to religion) by people declaring religiosity is a mediator for the relationship between perceived hopelessness and job satisfaction.

Methods. The study covered 238 individuals representing the uniformed services or working in professions of public trust in Poland. The Inventory for Measuring Coping with Stress (MINI-COPE) and The Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and were employed in the research. Results. The mediating role of turning to religion in relationship between perceived hopelessness and job satisfaction was confirmed only in the group of women. The relationship found in this group indicates that perceived hopelessness is alleviated by turning to religion, which at the same time leads to an increase in job satisfaction.

Conclusion. The obtained results prove that it should be standard practice to offer specialist help after potentially traumatic events in the workplace not only in the form of emotional and/or instrumental support but also in the form of spiritual help.