Abstract
The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the variations in the quality of life in Latino/a Americans who identify as non-religious compared to Latino/a Americans who identify as religious. This study further sought to explore how these individuals' acculturative status, ethnic identity and marginalization contributed to their quality of life. A total of 414 participants completed a web-based survey that included a demographic questionnaire and items related to their religiousness, theistic identity, ethnic identity, acculturative status, and marginalization. Results indicated that various religious factors, theistic belief, ethnic identity exploration, and a lower sense of Anglo marginalization predicted higher quality of life in Latino/a Americans. Study findings served to contribute to the dearth of literature exploring religion and lack thereof as a multicultural factor influencing quality of life and to further inform clinicians of issues pertaining to quality of life in Latino/a Americans who identify as either religious or non-religious. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.