The Mediating Role of Mattering in the Relationship Between Perceived Islamophobia and Well-Being in a Group of Muslim Women Residing in Italy

This study examined the associations between perceived Islamophobia and social well-being among Muslim women living in Italy, focusing on the potential mediating role of societal mattering and interpersonal mattering with respect to family and friends. Drawing from community and social psychology perspectives, we hypothesized that perceived Islamophobia would be negatively associated with social well-being, and that this relationship would be mediated by perceived mattering. In total, 120 Muslim women completed validated measures of perceived Islamophobia, mattering, and social well-being. Generalized Linear Modeling indicated that the direct association between perceived Islamophobia and social well-being was marginally significant. However, significant indirect associations emerged through societal mattering and mattering to friends. Higher perceived Islamophobia was associated with lower societal mattering and mattering to friends, which in turn were positively associated with social well-being, whereas mattering to family did not mediate the association. These findings underscore the role of different forms of mattering in shaping social well-being among women belonging to a minority religious group. Results have implications for the development of interventions aimed at promoting perception of being important to one’s society and significant others among Muslim women, particularly in national contexts where anti-Muslim sentiments may threaten their well-being.