Date
4-29-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Cynthia Evans
Keywords
purpose in life, unconditional self-acceptance, life satisfaction, faith, God, evangelical Christian, spiritual transformation
Disciplines
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Yen, Alice H., "Examining the Role of Faith on the Relationships between Purpose in Life, Unconditional Self-Acceptance, and Life Satisfaction Among Evangelical Christians" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8245.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8245
Abstract
The following dissertation examined the role of faith in God among evangelical Christians to understand its influence on the relationships between purpose in life, unconditional self-acceptance, and life satisfaction. This quantitative correlational study surveyed a sample of 77 evangelical Christians to explore the construct of life satisfaction by assessing specific psychological factors including purpose in life, unconditional self-acceptance, and faith in God. Participants completed self-report surveys including Purpose in Life Test, Unconditional Self-Acceptance Scale, Satisfaction in Life Scale, and Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire, and answered one open-ended response question regarding where purpose in life comes from. Results indicated a significant positive relationship between purpose in life and life satisfaction and unconditional self-acceptance and life satisfaction. Analysis of the effect of faith in God did not reveal a significant moderating or mediating effect between purpose in life and life satisfaction. Similarly, no significant moderating effect of faith in God was found in the relationship between unconditional self-acceptance and life satisfaction. However, faith in God was found to be a significant mediator between unconditional self-acceptance and life satisfaction. These outcomes suggest that higher levels of unconditional self-acceptance may be associated with stronger faith in God, which can contribute to greater life satisfaction among evangelical Christians. These findings offer practical implications for psychological treatments that address concepts related to unconditional self-acceptance, such as low self-esteem. Additionally, results support the biblical perspective that faith in God can foster spiritual transformation and ultimately lead to a deeper relationship with God.
