Mysticism as a Predictor of Subjective Well-Being

Four measures of subjective well-being (Satisfaction with Life, Purpose in Life, Negative Affect, and Religious Satisfaction) were each hierarchically regressed on several previously studied control measures of religiousness, three measures of mysticism, and two interaction terms. For both Satisfaction with Life and Purpose in Life, R2 was significantly increased when the three mysticism measures were entered as a block subsequent to the control variables. When nonsignificant predictors were removed from the equations, the interaction of Extrovertive Mysticism (the experience of a unity to all things) ×Religious Interpretation (the tendency to find sacred meaning in experiences) was positively associated with Satisfaction with Life. However, Extrovertive Mysticism was negatively associated with Satisfaction with Life. Religious Interpretation was associated with Purpose in Life and Religious Satisfaction. It was concluded that mysticism may have an important and complex relationship to subjective well-being that cannot be reduced to previously studied religious variables.