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Citation
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Jouriles EN, Rancher C, Mahoney A, Kurth C, Cook K, McDonald R. Psychol. Violence 2020; 10(3): 334-343. |
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Abstract
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OBJECTIVE: The present research consists of two studies examining the link between divine spiritual struggles--questions, doubts, and distress about one's relationship to God or a higher power--and psychological adjustment among adolescents who have been sexually abused.
METHOD: Study 1 was conducted with 102 adolescents (M = 13.53 years; 90% female); Study 2 was conducted with 245 adolescents (M = 13.71 years; 94% female) and their nonabusive primary caregivers. In both studies, participants were recruited from a children's advocacy center after a disclosure of sexual abuse. In Study 1, adolescents completed measures of divine spiritual struggles (adapted specifically for adolescents who have been sexually abused) and psychological adjustment. Correlates of psychological adjustment were also measured and accounted for in analyses. In addition to these measures, in Study 2, caregivers also completed a measure of the adolescent's psychological adjustment, and additional correlates of psychological adjustment not included in Study 1 were measured and accounted for in analyses.
RESULTS: Study 1 findings, corroborated in Study 2, provided evidence for the criterion and discriminant validity of the Divine Spiritual Struggles Scale. In both studies, greater divine spiritual struggles were associated with more adolescent adjustment problems, even after accounting for other variables.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings point to the potential value of assessing divine spiritual struggles among adolescents who have been sexually abused. However, it will be important to attempt to replicate the current findings in samples more inclusive of males and youth with varied religious affiliations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
Language: en |