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Paul Loosemore, Ph.D., LPC, NCC is an assistant professor of Clinical
Mental Health Counseling at Covenant Theological Seminary in St Louis,
Missouri. Paul’s primary research interests are spiritual integra�on in
counseling, counselor forma�on, character virtue forma�on, and coun-
selor educa�on. Paul conducts a private prac�ce in the local communi-
ty, working with individuals, couples and families.

Paul Loosemoore
(USA)

Rela�onship with God and Well-being:

The Role of Character Virtues

Abstract
This study clarifies rela�onships between the Yamanda et al., 2019). This study recognizes an
following variables: A Chris�an rela�onship insider or ‘emic’ Chris�an ra�onale for why re-
with God, character virtues humility, gra�tude la�onship with God leads to character virtue
and compassion, and well-being. Path analyses and subsequently well-being, which leads to
using data from 2,594 Chris�an adults found well-being (Knabb & Wang, 2019). However,
the hypothesized model showed close fit to current literature also supports this inves�ga�-
the data (RMSEA = .078, IFI = .978, CFI = .978, on. Krause and Hayward (2015) have begun to
X = 149.568, p < .001). Character virtues par�- iden�fy how a Chris�an rela�onship with God
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ally mediated between a rela�onship with God may influence character virtues that lead to
and well-being, and rela�onship with God well-being, yet called for further studies to cla-
significantly predicted well-being. Implica�ons rify how mul�ple character virtues may be im-
are discussed. plicated between a rela�onship with God and
Keywords: God; character virtues; well-being; well-being. Their inquiry stands with other fin-
gra�tude; humility; compassion dings that suggest a Chris�an rela�onship with
God influences character and ac�on that trans-
lates into well-being (Greggo, 2016; Miner,
Rela�onship with God and Well-being: The 2009; Peteet, 2019; Tix et al., 2013) This study
Role of Character Virtues seeks to clarify the impact of a Chris�an’s rela-
Well-being science is ever more important �onship with God on character virtue develop-
amidst concerning rates of mental illness, and ment by inves�ga�ng humility, gra�tude, and
the importance of a�ending to personal value compassion due to prior links between these
systems (Cashwell & Wa�s, 2010; Helliwell et virtues, rela�onship with God, and well-being
al., 2019). Spiritual supports for well-being are (Jazaieri et al., 2013; Lavelock et al., 2017; Ros-
warranted given increased concern that the marin et al., 2011). If a rela�onship with God
impact of current posi�ve psychological inter- does increase character virtue and well-being
ven�ons appears overstated (White et al., in Chris�ans, these prosocial changes are per�-
2019), and there is a return to spirituality and nent to the science of well-being in the US.
religion in pursuit of well-being (Peteet, 2019;

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