The impact of personality on God image, religious coping, and religious motivation among Coptic Orthodox priests

Abstract

This study examines the influence of personality on the spirituality of Oriental Orthodox priests, who account for approximately 1400 Christian leadership positions in America. The personality types of Orthodox priests are explored and evaluated in terms of their association with different aspects of spirituality as defined by the God Image Inventory, the Intrinsic/Extrinsic ‐ Revised (I/E ‐ R), and the Religious Coping Activities Scale. The 16‐Personality Factors is used to examine personality. Descriptive statistics reveal that no prototypical personality profile exists among Coptic Orthodox priests. Multiple regression analysis reveals that there are no significant relationships between personality and religious coping activities. However, the four personality constructs of anxiety, tough‐mindedness, independence, and self‐control do have a meaningful influence on one's God image and religious motivation. The study reveals five significant relationships between personality and spirituality.

Keywords:

• Coptic Orthodox priests
• intrinsic‐extrinsic coping
• personality psychology
• religious motivation
• God image
• Middle Eastern Studies