"God Just Doesn't Understand:" Religious and Spiritual Struggles as a Predictor of Existential Isolation
Location
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
Start Date
4-5-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
4-5-2024 11:30 AM
Poster Number
180
Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor
Robert Arrowood
Faculty Sponsor's Department
Psychology
Competition Type
Competitive
Type
Poster Presentation
Presentation Category
Social Sciences
Abstract or Artist's Statement
The current study examined how religious and spiritual struggles (RSS) affect existential isolation (EI) among individuals who identify as religious. EI is distinct from other forms of isolation as it describes whether someone feels that their personal experience is shared by others. Previous work has examined EI through the lens of the psychology of religion as a person’s religious affiliation and beliefs greatly impact their connectedness. When individuals struggle with these beliefs, however, the benefits of faith can be hindered. The current study examined the relationship between EI along with several dimensions of RSS: divine struggles, demonic assaults, ultimate meaning, morality, doubt, and interpersonal acceptance. The results demonstrated that RSS predicted greater EI. Additionally, EI was positively correlated with divine struggles, demonic assaults, ultimate meaning concerns, morality issues, doubt and uncertainty, and interpersonal acceptance between believers. Using a hierarchical linear model to examine unique variance of each portion of RSS to predict EI, the results showed that perceived struggles with demonic entities, along with struggles with ultimate meaning predicted greater EI. Thus, those who are struggling with their religious beliefs are more likely to feel disconnected and feel as though their struggles are not shared by others.
"God Just Doesn't Understand:" Religious and Spiritual Struggles as a Predictor of Existential Isolation
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
The current study examined how religious and spiritual struggles (RSS) affect existential isolation (EI) among individuals who identify as religious. EI is distinct from other forms of isolation as it describes whether someone feels that their personal experience is shared by others. Previous work has examined EI through the lens of the psychology of religion as a person’s religious affiliation and beliefs greatly impact their connectedness. When individuals struggle with these beliefs, however, the benefits of faith can be hindered. The current study examined the relationship between EI along with several dimensions of RSS: divine struggles, demonic assaults, ultimate meaning, morality, doubt, and interpersonal acceptance. The results demonstrated that RSS predicted greater EI. Additionally, EI was positively correlated with divine struggles, demonic assaults, ultimate meaning concerns, morality issues, doubt and uncertainty, and interpersonal acceptance between believers. Using a hierarchical linear model to examine unique variance of each portion of RSS to predict EI, the results showed that perceived struggles with demonic entities, along with struggles with ultimate meaning predicted greater EI. Thus, those who are struggling with their religious beliefs are more likely to feel disconnected and feel as though their struggles are not shared by others.