Figure 3 shows the final structural equation model with spiritual meaning included as a mediating variable. While all links are statistically significant at p ? .01 and all fit indices are acceptable (RMSEA .049 [CI: .047, .050], SRMR .04, NFI .95), not all pathways are positive. The direct connections from spiritual intimacy to well-being and to e negative when spiritual meaning was added as a mediator, demonstrating strong indirect associations of spiritual intimacy with marital intimacy and well-being, acting through spiritual meaning. To determine whether adding spiritual meaning in this central position was an improvement over a model without connections through spiritual meaning we tested the model shown in Figure 3 with the paths from spiritual meaning to marital intimacy and to well-being constrained to zero. The results of this model (not shown) were very similar to the model without spiritual meaning we initially tested in Figure 2 . The direct paths from spiritual intimacy to marital intimacy (0.14, 95% CI [0.11, 0.18], p = .002) and from spiritual intimacy to well-being (0.35, 95% CI [0.31, 0.38], p = .002) were both reasonably strong and positive. Additionally, the model not containing the constraints is a better fit to the data than the constrained model (? 2 (2) = , p < .005). These findings suggest that spiritual meaning is the vehicle through which spiritual intimacy is modeled to facilitate greater marital intimacy and well-being. In other words, it is the spiritual meaning that is a result of one's relationship with God that is the impetus and model for greater levels of intimacy in one's marriage and increased individual well-being.
Final causal model (n = 5,720). Spiritual intimacy is the best predictor of one’s marital intimacy and well-being through the lens of spiritual meaning. The strongest positive change is seen for individual well-being in that spiritual intimacy, by improving marital intimacy, also improves well-being. Without spiritual meaning in one’s life, one’s relationship with God is associated with a decrease in marital intimacy and well-being. Standardized regression coefficients from structural model are shown. Age and length of relationship are controlled. Structural model of relationship between latent variables is shown with bold-faced arrows and coefficients. All coefficients are statistically significant at p < .005 using bias-corrected 1,000 sample bootstrap. x 2 (147) = , p < .001, RMSEA = .049 (95% CI = .047, .050), SRMR = .04, NFI .95. Numbers beside latent and manifest variables are squared multiple correlations for all arrows leading into that variable. Numbers on arrows are standardized path coefficients.
Lead effects
If you are all of the direct routes one of hidden details were high, those individuals routes out of spiritual intimacy so you’re able to well-being and to marital closeness were one another apparently weak and negative. This proves the necessity of religious meaning so you’re able to relationship closeness and you can well-being and you may raises the specter of what actually is left that induce a bad dating whenever spiritual closeness try bereft regarding religious definition.
Secondary effects
The fresh secondary effects were mediated by spiritual definition. The head bad relationships out-of spiritual closeness that have marital intimacy and which have well-being was in fact both strong and you can positive whenever considered as indirect outcomes doing work because of religious definition. This suggests the new ceny babel good part away from spiritual meaning when looking at the relationship one of religious intimacy, relationship closeness, and you will well-being.
Overall outcomes
While the revealed from inside the Dining table dos , the total effects of spiritual intimacy to help you spiritual definition, as well as religious meaning so you can better-getting was basically both strong in accordance with others effects. The latest routes from spiritual and you can relationship closeness so you can really-getting have been quite weaker additionally the street out-of spiritual definition in order to marital closeness are new weakest no matter if nevertheless extreme. Spiritual definition, thus, are strongest regarding better-being, as well as good regarding marital intimacy.