God as an Attachment Figure: A Case Study of the God Attachment Language and God Concepts of Anxiously Attached Christian Youths in South Africa

Mental Health, Religion & Culture

2016

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The article is a qualitative study that focuses on the authenticity and self-constructions of Christian millennials in Africa. While exploring how 15 respondents manifested their authentic self-behaviours using a case study design, the hallmark of the study was to observe the common coping mechanism of self-regulation, adopted by respondents to deal with their internal crisis. This coping strategy was employed as they remained true to self by creating new "authentic" images of themselves in the forms of the borderline self, the promissory self, the hyphenated self, and the religious self. By implication, looking at the issue of authenticity from an African context has produced an African conceptualisation of authenticity. I argue that African authenticity can be understood by interpreting Africa's voices of self-expression and images of selfdefinition, resonating within various African contexts in hope for some kind of cathartic and authentic living experience. ARTICLE HISTORY

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Being authentic is the new image: a qualitative study on the authenticity constructions and self-images of Christian millennials in Africa

Mental Health, Religion & Culture

2016

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“…And yet, attachment separation and/or disruption can happen again and again throughout life in varying circumstances. For some it could be the loss of an attachment figure through a tragic death, while others may experience attachment separation through caregiver unavailability or abandonment (Counted 2016a;2016b;Howard et al 2011;Lowenstein 2007;Liotti 2004). Cicirelli (2004:372) reasons that another important aspect of adult attachment development is 'the desire to protect the existence of an elderly mother [a primary caregiver] by providing physical care in order to preserve this unique attachment figure'.…”

Section: Attachment Theory and Religious Psychopathologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Attachment theory and religious violence: theorizing adult religious psychopathology

2017

J. Study Relig.

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This paper explores the ways in which attachment disruptions might increase the risk of adult religious psychopathology by drawing parallels between the possible symbolisms lying behind religious violence and the concept of attachment. It is first argued that the relationship between a religious believer and a religious figure can be explained as an attachment experience. Secondly, it is proposed that when a religious attachment figure becomes a target of slander, or an action is perpetrated to disrupt the bond with such a figure, the religious believer may be predisposed to defensive, adaptive reactions, in the form of protest, despair, or detachment, to protect their attachment bond and resolve the disruptions that threaten their religious attachment identity. Support for this theoretical proposition was obtained through discourse analyses of three case examples (Charlie Hebdo vs al-Qaeda, Boko Haram vs the Nigerian government, and Pastor Terry Jones vs Islamic radicalisation), which position attachment theory as an alternative explanatory framework for conceptualising religious violence as a form of religious attachmentpsychopathology-aimed at safeguarding the affectional bond with a religious figure from whom one may have developed a sense of identity and safe haven.

“…Recent studies show that attachment relations with caregivers are outlets through which individuals form their authentic self-behaviours, cultivate their identity, and regulate their social relationships (Counted, 2016a(Counted, , 2016b(Counted, , 2016cDavis, 2010;Gillath, Sesko, Shaver, & Chun, 2010). In situations where the individual is struggling to cope with their attachment difficulties and insecurities due to experiences of abandonment, emotional betrayal, separation from an attachment figure, or due to unavailability or inaccessibility of a relational partner, their self-actualisation and authenticity can come under attack, having a huge impact in the way they see themselves when dealing with others and the world around them.…”

Section: Attachment and Authenticity: Theory And Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Granqvist and Kirkpatrick (2016) further strengthened this claim in their recent review, arguing that religious behaviour can be understood as an attachment process, on the basis that the bond of affection that exists between a believer and the divine meets the criteria of an attachment bond. Hence, the feelings of love experienced in the context of a relationship with the Christian God, for example, would resemble the prototype of parental attachment (Counted, 2016b;Granqvist & Kirkpatrick, 2016). AG is an important subject central to the belief in most monotheistic religions, particularly Christianity, where believers prioritise the importance of seeking a personal relationship with God.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Counted, 2016bCounted, , 2016cDavis, 2010;Granqvist & Kirkpatrick, 2016;Kirkpatrick, 1994Kirkpatrick, , 1998Kirkpatrick, , 2005Kirkpatrick & Shaver, 1990). Attachment and authenticity may be the two greatest psychosocial and/or spiritual needs in terms of experiencing and integrating meaning in life through developing a sense of connectedness with self, others, or through connection to a power greater than one's self -whether it be to a primary caregiver or a divine entity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Between God and self: exploring the attachment to God and authenticity/inauthenticity tendencies of South African Christian youths

Mental Health, Religion & Culture

Moustafa

2017

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The paper explores the relationship between attachment to God (AG) and authenticity/inauthenticity among Christian youths in relation to a range of socio-demographic variables. Cross-sectional data were collected from 100 South African Christian youths using measures of AG and authenticity/inauthenticity. The correlation results reveal that feelings of insecurity in terms of having anxiety in a relationship with God is positively related to self-alienation (feeling out of touch with oneself) and accepting external influences (conforming to the standards and expectations of others), but negatively correlated to authentic living (being in tune with one's self). Feelings of insecurity in terms of avoidant God-attachment was also related to self-alienation. In addition, demographic differences were observed for gender and church denomination. These results suggest that insecurity with God may either be linked to feelings of authenticity or self-estrangement among Christian youths and have broad implications, both for clinical usage and further cross-cultural research.ARTICLE HISTORY