My hero, my friend: exploring Honduran youths’ lived experience of the God–individual relationship

Abstract

Extensive social science research has focused on God image and God concept through the lens of attachment theory and the parental relationship. While vast theoretical frameworks exist, the authors suggest that more focused phenomenological research would shed light on adolescent lived experience within experiential descriptive language and provides additional cultural insight into how youth understand and experience God. Twenty-three female Honduran youths in residential care, ages 11 to 19, shared their understanding and experiences of the God–individual relationship using The Lived Experience of the God–Individual Relationship Questionnaire. The study discovered that relationships are complex and evolving between the individual and God. Particularly, the God–individual relationship was found to become more personal and intimate with age. Terms used to describe God’s role in one’s life vs. identity descriptors differed. Finally, youth saw their relationship with God as different than their peers indicating uniqueness to their perceived experience. The implications of the study relate to perceptions of God and to developmental theory of God relationships.

Keywords:

• God
• spirituality
• youth
• lived experience
• phenomenology
• social and biological orphans

Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful to all the youth who shared their thoughts and experiences with us about their relationship with God. We would also like to extend a special thank you to the staff and executive director of the Home who generously supported us in this initiative.