The experience of divine struggle following child loss: The Case of Israeli bereaved Modern-Orthodox parents

Death Stud. 2022;46(6):1329-1343. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2020.1850547. Epub 2020 Dec 1.

Abstract

Child loss may undermine one's faith. Whereas much is known about religion's role following loss, less is known about the experience of divine struggle-namely, struggling with complex God-related emotions/beliefs-particularly among diverse sociocultural samples. Employing a narrative approach, we interviewed 20 bereaved Modern-Orthodox parents. Analysis revealed three types of divine struggle (explicit, implicit/silenced, none) differentiated by four categories: core emotional experience, response type, significance of faith in the coping process, and the impact of grief-induced divine struggle on parent-God relationship. Findings emphasize the need for culturally-sensitive inquiry of divine struggle, that divine struggle may be silenced, and therapists' awareness is critical.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Child
  • Emotions
  • Grief*
  • Humans
  • Israel
  • Parents* / psychology