Master of Arts, Case Western Reserve University, 2013, Psychology

Due to divine struggles' (i.e., struggles with God) links to poor well-being, studies have begun to identify their predictors, such as perceptions of God. Studies have also shown that relationships with God and parents tend to be similar. The current study aimed to expand upon these prior studies by exploring both parental and divine qualities' predictions of two divine struggles—disappointment/anger toward God, and religious fear/guilt. Parent characteristics, perceptions of God, and divine struggles were assessed among undergraduates (N = 185). Use of multiple parent measures enabled systematic examination of parental qualities beyond the brief measures of previous studies. This study suggested that perceived parental Warmth and Commitment, Facilitation of the relationship, and Negativity were associated with anxious attachment to God and divine struggles. Anxious attachment to God mediated parental factors' predictions of divine struggles. Maternal factors tended to eclipse paternal factors. Negativity and sometimes Warmth and Commitment overshadowed Facilitation.

Committee: Julie Exline Ph.D. (Advisor); Sandra Russ Ph.D. (Committee Member); Amy Przeworksi Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Families and Family Life; Psychology; Religion; Social Psychology; Spirituality