Associations of childhood trauma experiences with religious and spiritual struggles

J Health Psychol. 2022 Feb;27(2):292-304. doi: 10.1177/1359105320950793. Epub 2020 Aug 23.

Abstract

Childhood trauma is associated with many interpersonal and psychosocial problems in adulthood. The aim of this study was to explore the associations with a spiritual area of personality, namely religious and spiritual struggles (R/S struggles). A nationally representative sample of 1,000 Czech respondents aged 15 years and older participated in the survey. All types of CT were associated with an increased level of all six types of R/S struggles, with the highest values for demonic struggles. Thus, the findings of this study might be important for clinical practice and pastoral care as well as a further research.

Keywords: childhood maltreatment; childhood trauma; psychological distress; religious and spiritual struggles; spirituality.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences*
  • Humans
  • Spirituality
  • Surveys and Questionnaires