Religious Meaning System and Depression Among Older Adults in Poland: A Moderated Mediation Model of Attitude to Ageing and Meaning Making.

This investigation examines the association between the religious meaning system and depressive symptomatology among older adults in Poland, with a particular emphasis on the mediating function of attitudes toward aging and the moderating influence of meaning-making processes. The study was conducted using a convenience sample of 288 older individuals recruited from community settings, representing a response rate of 78.5% (288 out of 367 invited individuals). A battery of standardized measures was employed to elucidate these relationships. The findings demonstrate that attitudes toward aging serve as a mediating mechanism linking the religious meaning system to depressive outcomes. Furthermore, meaning-making significantly moderates this mediation pathway, strengthening the association between religiosity and positive aging attitudes, which in turn reduce depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of attitudes toward aging and meaning-making in understanding the relationship between religiosity and mental health in older populations and suggest directions for targeted interventions.