Author Date

2026-03-09

Degree Name

BS

Department

Psychology

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Defense Date

2026-02-26

Publication Date

2026-03-09

First Faculty Advisor

Jared Nielsen

First Faculty Reader

G. E. Kawika Allen

Honors Coordinator

Ed Gantt

Keywords

Scrupulosity, religiosity, Latter-Day Saints, suicidal ideation, psychological well-being

Abstract

Religion has often been cited as a protective factor against psychopathology and suicidal ideation. However, this pattern does not always hold true. In this study, I sought to understand these exceptions by examining the relationship between explicit beliefs about God, scrupulosity, suicidal ideation, and psychological well-being among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). 105 adults were recruited and completed self-report measures related to the study variables. Negative explicit beliefs were positively correlated with scrupulosity, depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidal ideation. Scrupulosity was also positively correlated with depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidal ideation. Positive beliefs were negatively correlated with scrupulosity, depression, anxiety, and stress. Depression and scrupulosity also significantly mediated the relationship between negative beliefs and suicidal ideation, with depression also mediating the relationship between scrupulosity and suicidal ideation. Limitations, future research directions, and potential clinical implications for an LDS population are discussed.

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