Deconversion may involve a painful experience of transcendental emptiness (Nowosielski & Bartczuk, 2017), which can undermine social well-being (Williams, 2024; David & Keller, 2026). This study examined the association between transcendental emptiness and loneliness in emerging adulthood, with perceived religious support as a mediator. The sample included N = 190 individuals aged 18–29 years (62 men; Mage = 23.24, SD = 2.95). Participants completed the Adolescent Deconversion Scale (Nowosielski & Bartczuk, 2019), the Perceived Religious Social Support Scale (Zarzycka et al., 2023), and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (Kwiatkowska et al., 2018). Transcendental emptiness was positively associated with social loneliness and difficulties with belonging and affiliation, and negatively associated with congregational support. Higher congregational support was associated with lower social loneliness and fewer difficulties with belonging and affiliation. Mediation analyses showed a significant direct effect of transcendental emptiness on social loneliness (B = .132, 95% CI [.0351, .2292]), which was partially explained by the indirect effect through congregational support (B = .028, 95% CI [.0045, .0620]). For difficulties with belonging and affiliation, the direct effect of transcendental emptiness became non-significant after the mediator was introduced (B = .096, 95% CI [-.0184, .2098]), while the indirect effect through congregational support remained significant (B = .030, 95% CI [.0036, .0650]). These findings suggest that perceived religious support may protect the social well-being of emerging adults experiencing transcendental emptiness and may help explain the link between deconversion-related crisis and poorer relational well-being.
Deconversion and Loneliness in Emerging Adulthood: The Mediating Role of Perceived Religious Support