Attachment to God among Bereaved Jewish Parents: Exploring Differences by Denominational Affiliation

Abstract

While much research has been devoted to examining individual differences in one's interpersonal attachment, very little research has been devoted to examining individual differences in one's attachment to God (ATG). Particularly, how ATG dimensions relate to different religious denominations (RD). To explore the relationship between ATG dimensions (avoidance/anxiety) and Jewish RDs. As the attachment theory was conceptualized to understand human reaction to separation and loss, the current study examined the relationship between ATG and RD among bereaved parents. Seventy-seven bereaved Jewish parents completed questionnaires referring to their RD and ATG. The results revealed different relationships between ATG and RD for each of the two ATG dimensions. Avoidant ATG was negatively correlated with RD in a linear order, whereas the relationship between the anxious ATG and RD was quadratic, revealing the highest levels of attachment-anxiety among participants affiliated with the traditional RD (“ Masorti”). Methodologically, these findings support the argument that ATG dimensions are distinct and separable from each other. Additionally, the findings highlight the importance of considering participants’ RD when exploring their ATG, as different denomination-based manifestations of ATG do exist. Clinical implications include using RD to detect bereaved parents at risk (i.e., traditional ones), due to their high anxious ATG dimension.

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