Prevalence and Social-Cognitive Predictors of Anger Toward God in a Polish Sample

ABSTRACT

Based on empirical studies, we may assume religion is an important source of support, consolation, and a sense of life for many individuals. However, notwithstanding the psychological benefits religion provides, it is also a reason for discomfort and struggle. The research presented in this article is an attempt at analyzing one of religious struggle types: anger toward God. Our study addresses the following issues: (a) prevalence of anger toward God in a national Polish sample; (b) predictors of anger toward God (religious attributions and God concepts); and (c) moderation of relationships between religious attributions, God concepts and anger toward God by centrality of religiosity. We applied the social-cognitive perspective for explaining the phenomenon of anger toward God. The results showed that anger toward God is frequently a reaction to negative experiences, and its intensity is low, lower than the intensity of positive emotions toward God. Anger toward God correlated positively with assigning negative intentions and the responsibility for suffering to God. A moderating effect of centrality on the relation between attributions and perception of God and anger toward God was observed.