The existential function of right‐wing authoritarianism

Objective Four studies tested the existential and existential buffering functions of right‐wing authoritarianism (RWA). We tested whether the facets of meaning mediated these functions. Method All studies measured RWA and meaning in life (MIL). Study 1, N = 2,319, also measured covariates, including...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of personality 2019-10, Vol.87 (5), p.1056-1073
Main Authors: Womick, Jake, Ward, Sarah J., Heintzelman, Samantha J., Woody, Brendon, King, Laura A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Authoritarianism
Buffering
Coherence
Hypotheses
Meaning
meaning in life
personality
Protestant ethic
Psychological distress
Religiosity
Right wing politics
right‐wing authoritarianism
well‐being
Work ethic
worldviews
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Summary:Objective Four studies tested the existential and existential buffering functions of right‐wing authoritarianism (RWA). We tested whether the facets of meaning mediated these functions. Method All studies measured RWA and meaning in life (MIL). Study 1, N = 2,319, also measured covariates, including Protestant Work Ethic and religiosity. Study 2, N = 505, examined RWA and meaning facets (purpose, coherence, and significance), and measured religiosity. Study 3, N = 971, measured psychological distress to test the existential buffering function of RWA. Study 4, N = 833, tested this hypothesis using meaning facets and tested for moderated mediation. Results In all studies, RWA and MIL were positively correlated. In Study 1, Protestant Work Ethic and religiosity weakened this association. In Study 2, significance mediated the association between RWA and global MIL. Religiosity wiped out the relationship between RWA and meaning variables, except significance. Study 3 supported the existential buffering hypothesis: distress and global MIL were less strongly related among those high on RWA. Study 4 replicated this finding for MIL facets. Significance mediated the existential buffering function of RWA. Conclusions Findings extend scientific knowledge by demonstrating that RWA contributes to MIL, particularly existential mattering, and especially for those experiencing distress. We discuss implications for our understanding of RWA and MIL.
ISSN:0022-3506
1467-6494
DOI:10.1111/jopy.12457