Skip to main content
Top
Published in:

Open Access 16-05-2024 | Coping Skills | ORIGINAL PAPER

The Links Between Insecure Attachment to God, Divine Struggles, and Happiness and Depressive Symptoms Among Muslims and Jews in Israel

Authors: Tali Sasson Shoshan, Hagar Chaki-Binon, Hisham Abu-Raiya

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 4/2024

Login to get access

Abstract

This investigation aimed to explore a theoretical model that examines the relationship between patterns of insecure attachment to God (i.e., anxious, avoidant), God-focused religious coping (i.e., divine struggles, positive religious coping), and mental health and well-being (i.e., happiness, depressive symptoms). The study's participants were 340 Israeli Jewish and Muslim individuals who completed electronic self-report questionnaires to assess the main variables of the study. The theoretical model was tested using Structural Equation Modeling. The analysis' findings indicated that there were no direct links between both patterns of insecure attachment to God and both happiness and depressive symptoms. Additionally, both anxious and avoidant attachment to God were found to be positively associated with divine struggles, and the latter mediated the relationship between both anxious and avoidant attachment to God and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, there were no significant associations between positive religious coping and any of the other variables in the study. Moreover, a comparative analysis revealed that the pattern of associations between the variables in the study was not dependent on gender or religious affiliation. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
Footnotes
1
The linguistic framework utilized in this study is monotheistic in nature as it examines two demographic groups who follow monotheistic faiths, specifically Judaism and Islam.
 
Literature
go back to reference Abu-Raiya, H., Pargament, K. I., & Krause, N. (2016). Religion as problem, religion as solution: Religious buffers of the links between religious/spiritual struggles and well-being/mental health. Quality of Life Research, 25(5), 1265–1274.CrossRefPubMed Abu-Raiya, H., Pargament, K. I., & Krause, N. (2016). Religion as problem, religion as solution: Religious buffers of the links between religious/spiritual struggles and well-being/mental health. Quality of Life Research, 25(5), 1265–1274.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Abu-Raiya, H., Pargament, K. I., & Mahoney, A. (2011). Examining coping methods with stressful interpersonal events experienced by Muslims living in the United States following the 9/11 attacks. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 3(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020034CrossRef Abu-Raiya, H., Pargament, K. I., & Mahoney, A. (2011). Examining coping methods with stressful interpersonal events experienced by Muslims living in the United States following the 9/11 attacks. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 3(1), 1–14. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1037/​a0020034CrossRef
go back to reference Abu-Raiya, H., Sasson, T., Palachy, S., Mozes, E., & Tourgeman, A. (2017). The relationships between religious coping and mental and physical health among female survivors of intimate partner violence in Israel. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 9(Suppl 1), S70–S78. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000107CrossRef Abu-Raiya, H., Sasson, T., Palachy, S., Mozes, E., & Tourgeman, A. (2017). The relationships between religious coping and mental and physical health among female survivors of intimate partner violence in Israel. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 9(Suppl 1), S70–S78. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1037/​rel0000107CrossRef
go back to reference Ainsworth, M. D. S. (1985). Attachments across the life span. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, 61(9), 792–812.PubMedPubMedCentral Ainsworth, M. D. S. (1985). Attachments across the life span. Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, 61(9), 792–812.PubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Ali, Z. (2016). Concepts of god in Islam. Philosophy Compass, 11(12), 892–904.CrossRef Ali, Z. (2016). Concepts of god in Islam. Philosophy Compass, 11(12), 892–904.CrossRef
go back to reference Bleich, A., Gelkopf, M., & Solomon, Z. (2003). Exposure to terrorism, stress-related mental health symptoms, and coping behaviors among a nationally representative sample in Israel. JAMA, 290(5), 612–620.CrossRefPubMed Bleich, A., Gelkopf, M., & Solomon, Z. (2003). Exposure to terrorism, stress-related mental health symptoms, and coping behaviors among a nationally representative sample in Israel. JAMA, 290(5), 612–620.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Bockrath, M. F., Pargament, K. I., Wong, S., Harriott, V. A., Pomerleau, J. M., Homolka, S. J., Chaudhary, Z. B., & Exline, J. J. (2021). Religious and spiritual struggles and their links to psychological adjustment: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 14(3), 283–299. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000400CrossRef Bockrath, M. F., Pargament, K. I., Wong, S., Harriott, V. A., Pomerleau, J. M., Homolka, S. J., Chaudhary, Z. B., & Exline, J. J. (2021). Religious and spiritual struggles and their links to psychological adjustment: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 14(3), 283–299. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1037/​rel0000400CrossRef
go back to reference Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss, 1 attachment. Basic Books. Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss, 1 attachment. Basic Books.
go back to reference Byrne, B. M. (2013). Structural equation modeling with Mplus: Basic concepts, applications, and programming. Routledge.CrossRef Byrne, B. M. (2013). Structural equation modeling with Mplus: Basic concepts, applications, and programming. Routledge.CrossRef
go back to reference Davis, D. E., Hook, J. N., & Worthington, J. E. L. (2008). Relational spirituality and forgiveness: The roles of attachment to God, religious coping, and viewing the transgression as a desecration. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 27(4), 293–301. Davis, D. E., Hook, J. N., & Worthington, J. E. L. (2008). Relational spirituality and forgiveness: The roles of attachment to God, religious coping, and viewing the transgression as a desecration. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 27(4), 293–301.
go back to reference Farrokhabadi, F., & Ghobary Bonab, B. (2018). A model based on the relationship between attachment to God and marital conflicts mediated by religious coping. Academic Journal of Psychological Studies, 7(1), 9–17. Farrokhabadi, F., & Ghobary Bonab, B. (2018). A model based on the relationship between attachment to God and marital conflicts mediated by religious coping. Academic Journal of Psychological Studies, 7(1), 9–17.
go back to reference Gall, T. L., & Guirguis-Younger, M. (2013). Religious and spiritual coping: Current theory and research. In K. I. Pargament, J. J. Exline, & J. W. Jones (Eds.), APA handbook of psychology, religion, and spirituality: Context, theory, and research (Vol. 1, pp. 349–364). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14045-019CrossRef Gall, T. L., & Guirguis-Younger, M. (2013). Religious and spiritual coping: Current theory and research. In K. I. Pargament, J. J. Exline, & J. W. Jones (Eds.), APA handbook of psychology, religion, and spirituality: Context, theory, and research (Vol. 1, pp. 349–364). American Psychological Association. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1037/​14045-019CrossRef
go back to reference Ghobary-Bonab, B., & Khanjani, Z. (2016). Mediation of patience in relationship between attachment to God styles and mental health among students. International Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 10(3), 178–183. Ghobary-Bonab, B., & Khanjani, Z. (2016). Mediation of patience in relationship between attachment to God styles and mental health among students. International Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 10(3), 178–183.
go back to reference Granqvist, P., & Kirkpatrick, L. A. (2013). Religion, spirituality, and attachment. In K. I. Pargament, J. J. Exline, & J. W. Jones (Eds.), APA handbooks in psychology. APA handbook of psychology, religion, and spirituality: Context, theory, and research (pp. 139–155). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14045-007CrossRef Granqvist, P., & Kirkpatrick, L. A. (2013). Religion, spirituality, and attachment. In K. I. Pargament, J. J. Exline, & J. W. Jones (Eds.), APA handbooks in psychology. APA handbook of psychology, religion, and spirituality: Context, theory, and research (pp. 139–155). American Psychological Association. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1037/​14045-007CrossRef
go back to reference Haj-Yahia, m. (2004). The Arab family in Israel: Its cultural values and their relation to social work [in Hebrew]. Society and Welfare, 34, 249–264. Haj-Yahia, m. (2004). The Arab family in Israel: Its cultural values and their relation to social work [in Hebrew]. Society and Welfare, 34, 249–264.
go back to reference Heck, R. H. (2001). Multilevel modeling with SEM. In G. A. Marcoulides & R. E. Schumacker (Eds.), New developments and techniques in structural equation modeling (pp. 109–148). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Heck, R. H. (2001). Multilevel modeling with SEM. In G. A. Marcoulides & R. E. Schumacker (Eds.), New developments and techniques in structural equation modeling (pp. 109–148). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
go back to reference Kirkpatrick, L. A. (1995). Attachment theory and religious experience. In R. W. Hood, Jr. (Ed.), Handbook of religious experience (pp. 446–475). Religious Education Press. Kirkpatrick, L. A. (1995). Attachment theory and religious experience. In R. W. Hood, Jr. (Ed.), Handbook of religious experience (pp. 446–475). Religious Education Press.
go back to reference Kirkpatrick, L. A. (1999). Attachment and religious representations and behavior. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (pp. 803–822). Guilford Press. Kirkpatrick, L. A. (1999). Attachment and religious representations and behavior. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (pp. 803–822). Guilford Press.
go back to reference Kirkpatrick, L. A., & Shaver, P. R. (1992). An attachment-theoretical approach to romantic love and religious belief. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 18(3), 266–275.CrossRef Kirkpatrick, L. A., & Shaver, P. R. (1992). An attachment-theoretical approach to romantic love and religious belief. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 18(3), 266–275.CrossRef
go back to reference Liebman, C. S. (1997). Reconceptualizing the culture conflict among Israeli Jews. Israel Studies, 2(2), 172–189.CrossRef Liebman, C. S. (1997). Reconceptualizing the culture conflict among Israeli Jews. Israel Studies, 2(2), 172–189.CrossRef
go back to reference McCleary-Gaddy, A. T., & Miller, C. T. (2019). Negative religious coping as a mediator between perceived prejudice and psychological distress among African Americans: A structural equation modeling approach. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 11(3), 257–265. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000228CrossRef McCleary-Gaddy, A. T., & Miller, C. T. (2019). Negative religious coping as a mediator between perceived prejudice and psychological distress among African Americans: A structural equation modeling approach. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 11(3), 257–265. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1037/​rel0000228CrossRef
go back to reference Muldoon, O. T. (2013). Political violence, identity and psychological adjustment in children. In C. Fernando & M. Ferrari (Eds.), Handbook of resilience in children of war (pp. 223–233). Springer.CrossRef Muldoon, O. T. (2013). Political violence, identity and psychological adjustment in children. In C. Fernando & M. Ferrari (Eds.), Handbook of resilience in children of war (pp. 223–233). Springer.CrossRef
go back to reference Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. Guilford Press. Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. Guilford Press.
go back to reference Pargament, K. I., & Abu-Raiya, H. A. (2007). A decade of research on the psychology of Religion and coping: Things we assumed and lessons we learned. Psyke and Logos, 28(2), 742–766.CrossRef Pargament, K. I., & Abu-Raiya, H. A. (2007). A decade of research on the psychology of Religion and coping: Things we assumed and lessons we learned. Psyke and Logos, 28(2), 742–766.CrossRef
go back to reference Pargament, K. I., & Exline, J. J. (2021). Working with spiritual struggles in psychotherapy: From research to practice. Guilford Publications. Pargament, K. I., & Exline, J. J. (2021). Working with spiritual struggles in psychotherapy: From research to practice. Guilford Publications.
go back to reference Rosenthal, R. (1991). Meta-analytic procedures for social research. Sage Publications.CrossRef Rosenthal, R. (1991). Meta-analytic procedures for social research. Sage Publications.CrossRef
go back to reference Samuha, S. (2017) [in Hebrew]. Don't break the dishes: Index of Arab-Jewish relations in Israel 2015. Haifa, Israel: Pardes. Samuha, S. (2017) [in Hebrew]. Don't break the dishes: Index of Arab-Jewish relations in Israel 2015. Haifa, Israel: Pardes.
go back to reference Voas, D., & Day, A. (2010). Recognizing secular Christians: Toward an unexcluded middle in the study of religion. (Guiding Paper Series). Association of Religion Data Archives. Voas, D., & Day, A. (2010). Recognizing secular Christians: Toward an unexcluded middle in the study of religion. (Guiding Paper Series). Association of Religion Data Archives.
go back to reference Zeligman, M., Ataga, J., & Shaw, Z. (2020). Posttraumatic growth in trauma survivors: Associations with attachment to God and God representation. Counseling and Values, 65(2), 155–169.CrossRef Zeligman, M., Ataga, J., & Shaw, Z. (2020). Posttraumatic growth in trauma survivors: Associations with attachment to God and God representation. Counseling and Values, 65(2), 155–169.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
The Links Between Insecure Attachment to God, Divine Struggles, and Happiness and Depressive Symptoms Among Muslims and Jews in Israel
Authors
Tali Sasson Shoshan
Hagar Chaki-Binon
Hisham Abu-Raiya
Publication date
16-05-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Keyword
Coping Skills
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 4/2024
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-024-02055-y

Other articles of this Issue 4/2024

Journal of Religion and Health 4/2024 Go to the issue