Struggle with the divine in Swiss patients visited by chaplains: Prevalence and correlates

Abstract

A body of evidence is developing that describes harmful effects of religious struggle that includes struggle with the divine (e.g. feeling abandoned or punished by God). We examined the prevalence and correlates of divine struggle among 540 Swiss hospital patients. Some divine struggle was reported by 46 percent of the sample. Unexpected hospital admission and scores on a measure of faith were associated with a greater likelihood of reporting any divine struggle. Higher levels of anxiety and depression were also associated with divine struggle. Screening for divine struggle or other forms of religious struggle will permit, where indicated, appropriate religious assessment and care to mitigate the harmful effects that may accompany religious struggle.

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