Religiosity Moderates the Relationship Between Religious Discrimination and Quality of Life

Abstract

This dissertation explores the prevalence and impact of religious discrimination toward Muslim nurses working in the United States, employing a comprehensive analysis that incorporates the Stress and Coping Model and the Intersectionality Framework. Data collection started in December of 2023, during a period marked by a significant surge in Islamophobia, influenced by the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel. This dissertation aimed to investigate how this heightened environment affected the experiences of Muslim nurses. The findings reveal notable levels of perceived religious discrimination, with 82% of the sample reporting medium to high level of religious discrimination. This proportion suggests that approximately 4 out of every 5 Muslim nurses experience significant religious discrimination in their workplace. This dissertation identified that individual factors such as age, gender, and years in the U.S., along with professional factors like clinical experience and location, significantly influenced perceptions of discrimination. Positive religious coping strategies were found to moderate but not mitigate the effects of religious discrimination on work-related quality of life, contradicting some previous research findings. Overall, this research highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of religious discrimination faced by Muslim nurses, underscoring the need for ongoing dialogue, policy development, and targeted interventions to promote an inclusive and equitable work environment in the health care sector.