Seeing God in the Face of Economic Hardship: Investigating Perceptions of Dignity in the United States

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective Economic hardship is widespread in the contemporary United States and raises concerns about leading a dignified life. We examine perceived indignity, as well as how institutional religion might aid dignity restoration via different conceptions of God. Method Drawing on a recent, nationally representative sample of believers fielded by Gallup ( n = 970), we provide original evidence for significant, negative associations between individual economic hardship and perceived life dignity. These associations are examined among believers and across their different images of God. Results Among those who report financial strain or hardship, believing in a caring God is linked with significantly improved dignity, while believing in a punitive God is especially detrimental to dignity. Conclusion Far from being given, perceived life dignity varies considerably among those living in the United States—and is shaped by intersecting experiences of economic adversity and divine relation. We encourage application of this perceived dignity framework to other structural adversities as well as other, multifaceted institutional buffers of dignity.