Citation

Gall TL, Basque V, Damasceno‐scott M, Vardy GERARD. J. Sci. Study Relig. 2007; 46(1): 101-117.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1468-5906.2007.00343.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We explore the role of spirituality in the current adjustment of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). A sample of 101 men and women survivors of CSA completed questionnaires on spirituality (relationship with God or higher power), person factors (blame attributions, self-acceptance, hope), and current adjustment (mood, personal growth, resolution of the abuse). Results indicated that relationship with a benevolent God or higher power is related to the experience of less negative mood and a greater sense of personal growth and resolution of the abuse. Also, relationship with a higher power is related to other person factors such as self-acceptance and hope. Relationship with a benevolent God appears to have an indirect link to depressive mood and resolution of abuse through the mediating pathways of hope and self-acceptance. In contrast, relationship with God appears to have a more direct association to the outcome of personal growth for these survivors.