Spirituality and Resilience Among Mexican American IPV Survivors

Abstract

Women with abusive partners use a variety of coping strategies. This study examined the correlation between spirituality, resilience, and intimate partner violence using a cross-sectional survey of 54 Mexican American women living along the U.S.-Mexico border. The meaning-making coping model provides the conceptual framework to explore how spirituality is used as a copying strategy. Multiple ordinary least squares (OLS) regression results indicate women who score higher on spirituality also report greater resilient characteristics. Poisson regression analyses revealed that an increase in level of spirituality is associated with lower number of types of abuse experienced. Clinical, programmatic, and research implications are discussed.

‘There’s no-one you can trust to talk to here’: Churches and internally displaced survivors of sexual violence in Medellín, Colombia

“…This is a spiritual response that connects the traumatic event and its consequences with God. This is confirmed by other studies that have shown the impact that engaging with religion and spirituality can have on survivors (see Bowland et al 2011;De la Rosa et al 2015;Murray-Swank & Pargament 2005). However, owing to a number of possible reasons (discussed above), this religious/spiritual response is often not offered by the churches and their leaders.…”

“…Such trials could be challenges not only for IDPs but also for the survivors of sexual violence. Engaging with religion or their spirituality could be a way of active coping by the survivors of sexual violence, as religious and spiritual experiences can strongly (positively or negatively) influence the health and wellness of trauma survivors (Bowland et al 2011:319;De la Rosa et al 2015;Murray-Swank & Pargament 2005). Religion thus has the potential to be an important source and aid of coping for survivors.…”

“…Research has shown that engaging with religion or with their spirituality can help coping amongst sexual violence survivors (Bowland et al 2011;De la Rosa et al 2015;Murray-Swank & Pargament 2005). Religion can also create social cohesion and strengthen the ability to cope with adversity (Berger 1969;Durkheim 1995Durkheim [1912).…”

COVID‐19 and family violence: Is this a perfect storm?

“…Faith-based organizations have been credited as providing critical support to those in family violence situations (de la Rosa, Barnett-Queen, Messick, & Gurrola 2016;Zust, Flicek, Moses, Schubert, & Timmerman 2018). Churches and other faith-based institutions provide informal counselling and support as well as community assistance necessary to keep them safe (Fuchsel 2012).…”

Attitudes and beliefs about family and domestic violence in Australian faith-based communities: A qualitative study

“…Moreover, faith and religious beliefs have been identified as important coping mechanisms for women experiencing FDV. Prayer and faith texts are key sources of comfort and support for many women of faith (Beaulaurier, Seff, Newman, & Dunlop, 2007; Berry & York, 2011; McIntosh & Rosselli, 2012; Westenberg, 2017) and spirituality is a potential buffer against harms associated with FDV (de la Rosa, Barnett-Queen, Messick, & Gurrola, 2016; Drumm et al, 2014). Higher levels of spirituality and greater religious involvement can be associated with fewer depression symptoms and better mental health, including among survivors of FDV (Koenig, 2012; Watlington & Murphy, 2006).…”