| Summary: | While research has documented a robust relationship between spirituality and well-being, relatively few studies have been conducted in Africa. This study examined data from South Africa and Uganda, which differ markedly in multiple aspects of well-being, including access to healthcare and educational opportunities. Despite socioeconomic differences across four racial/ethnic groups, similar scores were found on the Psychological Well-Being Scale. The groups differed markedly on the Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale. The relationship between spirituality and well-being was positive for all groups, with that association explaining 32% of the variance in the Black Ugandan sample but only 4% of the variance in the White South African sample. Findings also differed across positive and negative aspects of well-being. These data confirm the relevance of spirituality to multidimensional well-being, particularly among indigenous sub-Saharan Africans. The data can inform theory and future research on the buffering effect of spirituality against socioeconomic disadvantages.
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