Attachment Theory and Concepts of God

Parent Referencing Versus Self-Referencing

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3334876
AutoresDuane F Reinert (0000-0002-5292-4382, Conception Seminary College), Carla E Edwards, Carla Edwards (Northwest Missouri State University)
Ano2014
Volume4
Fascículo4
Data de publicação2014-10-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSAGE Open (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2158-2440 • E-ISSN: 2158-2440
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/2158244014560547
OpenAlexW2122793695
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas11
Referências citadas38

We replicated and extended Buri and Mueller's study, which tested whether one's God concept is primarily self- or parent-referenced. Following their findings, we predicted that God concepts would primarily be self-referenced. However, we also predicted, in line with attachment theory, that God concepts would be influenced to some degree by attachment to mother. We found our predicted result in a sample of university students ( N = 223). However, when we examined the question by gender, we found significantly different patterns. Concepts of God as Loving, Controlling, and Distant were self-referenced in women but were not so in men. In men, Loving God was predicted primarily by attachment to mother, Controlling God was referenced to attachment to both parents, and Distant God was related to a combination of viewing self as distant and experiencing parental attachment difficulties, primarily with father

Attachment theory · Developmental psychology · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Psychology · Religion and Society Interactions · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology