Religious aspects of coping with stress among adolescents from families with alcohol problems

Abstract

The main focus of this research concerned disparities between two groups of adolescents from alcoholic and non-alcoholic families regarding religious coping strategies. Theoretical assumptions, being the basis of this research, refer to Pargament's conception of religion as an integral part of the process of coping with stress. The following hypotheses were stated: adolescents from alcoholic families more often use religious coping strategies, and individuals engaged in religious activity, compared to those not engaged, more often choose positive religious coping strategies. The research was conducted using a sample of 228 individuals, aged 17–19 years. All subjects declared Roman Catholic denomination. The survey was used to distinguish between the main groups. To evaluate religious coping strategies, the Polish version of the RCOPE was used. The results showed that adolescents from alcoholic families, compared to non-alcoholic families, more often perceived their situation as the Act of the Devil. They also expressed dissatisfaction more often with God and the Church. Adolescents from alcoholic families not engaged religiously more often perceived their situation as a punishment from God than those who were engaged religiously. Individuals engaged religiously and girls used religious coping strategies more often than those not engaged and more often than boys.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Miles Gibson for his linguistic consultation.

Notes

Notes

1. A more complete description of religious coping strategies can be found in Table I.

2. These categories are also considered to be key functions of religion (after Pargament et al., 2000).

3. There are exemplifications of positive religious coping strategies in parentheses.