Religious coping in college students

Three religious-coping profiles (Self-directing, Deferring/Collaborative, a nd Eclectic) have been identified in previous research with cardiac-transpl antation candidates. This study examines the existence of religious-coping styles in college students and tests the role of religious coping as a stre ss moderator of psychological and physical symptoms. Additional potential s tress buffers were included to help explain the relationship between stress and symptomatology more completely. Results supported the existence of the three religious-coping profiles in students; however, no group differences were found for symptomatology. The role of religion in studies of stress f or healthy individuals vs. clinical patients is discussed.