The purpose of the present research was to investigate the relationship between negative and positive religious coping strategies and post traumatic growth and distress and to determine the role of religious coping in their prediction. For this purpose, using multistage random sampling procedures, the researchers recruited a large sample (N = 381, females = 257 and males = 127) of undergraduate college students from three large universities in Tehran. Data was collected via questionnaires which included the Religious Coping Scale Based on Islam (RCOPE), Post Traumatic Growth Inventory, and Weis' Impact of Event Scale. Data was analysed using Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis. Results indicated that positive religious coping was significantly related to Post Traumatic Growth, and negative religious coping had significant negative correlation with distress. Results from regression analysis indicated positive religious coping strategies and religious coping based on Islam can predict Post Traumatic Growth. Also, Negative coping strategies can predict distress. It is argued that in order to decrease potential negative effects from stress and nurture ability to find personal benefits from negative life events, it is necessary to identify ways of using religious beliefs and practices in the process of coping with adversity.

Keywords: stress, posttraumatic growth, distress, positive and negative religious coping

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