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Political Tolerance, Psychological Security, and Religion: Disaggregating the Mediating Influence of Psychological Security

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 February 2014

Marie A. Eisenstein  and
April K. Clark
Marie A. Eisenstein*
Affiliation:
Indiana University Northwest
April K. Clark*
Affiliation:
Purdue University Calumet
*
Address correspondence and reprint request to: Marie Eisenstein, Department of History, Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies, Indiana University Northwest, 3400 Broadway Avenue, Gary, IN 46408. E-mail: maeisens@iun.edu; or April K. Clark, Department of History and Political Science, Purdue University Calumet, 2200 169th Street, Hammond, IN 46323. E-mail: april.clark@purduecal.edu
Address correspondence and reprint request to: Marie Eisenstein, Department of History, Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies, Indiana University Northwest, 3400 Broadway Avenue, Gary, IN 46408. E-mail: maeisens@iun.edu; or April K. Clark, Department of History and Political Science, Purdue University Calumet, 2200 169th Street, Hammond, IN 46323. E-mail: april.clark@purduecal.edu
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Abstract

This research focuses on the variable “psychological security” as a mediating influence for religion, and its influence on political tolerance. While the composite variable of "psychological security" (typically measured by dogmatism, self-esteem, and trust) has been part of many studies of political tolerance, insufficient attention has been paid to the influence of these separate indicators. This is problematic because certain religious beliefs, practices, and/or affiliations may contribute differentially to the particular components of psychological security that are linked with greater political intolerance. So, we do not know “if” and “how” religion may influence these separate psychological security components or the mediating influence of these components in the religionpsychological security-political tolerance connection. The objective of this project is to “unpack” the unique influence of the psychological security components in our understanding of political tolerance and to assess the mediating influence of these same components on the relationship between religion and tolerance.

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Type
Articles
Information
Politics and Religion , Volume 7 , Issue 2 , June 2014 , pp. 287 - 317
Copyright
Copyright © Religion and Politics Section of the American Political Science Association 2014 

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