Relationship between Religious Adherence and Coping Strategies of Women with Adverse Childhood Experiences

Injuries and adverse childhood experiences can lead to significant psychological effects in adulthood, one of the most important of which is coping strategies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between religious adherence and coping strategies of women with adverse childhood experiences.

This study is a descriptive correlational study. The study's statistical population included 100 women with adverse childhood experiences referred to psychological clinics in Tehran who were injured in one of 4 areas (sexual, emotional, psychological, neglect), and 81 were selected by the available sampling method. Subjects answered "the Janbozorgi Religious Adherence Questionnaire" and "Lazarus and Folkman Coping Strategies". Also, according to the time of the present study with corona conditions, the questionnaires were prepared by Google Form and administered virtually. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 25 and Pearson correlation and multiple regression methods.

Findings illustrated a significant relationship between subscales of religious adherence and coping strategies (P≤0/05). Religious adherence is also a strong predictor in anticipating the coping strategy of exemplary individuals. The results confirmed the role of religious adherence in coping strategies (distance, self-control, planned problem-solving, and positive re-evaluation) and in the dimension of religious ambivalence with avoidance coping strategies. Also, in the dimension of religious inconsistency, a negative and significant relationship was found between the planned coping strategy of problem-solving and the coping strategy of positive re-evaluation.

According to the research findings, it can be concluded that in women who have adverse childhood experiences, more substantial religious commitment can predict the use of positive coping strategies. As a result, religious adherence is a variable that can reinforce coping strategies (distance, self-control, planned problem-solving, and positive re-evaluation). Therefore, strengthening religious adherence can lead to an increase in the level of coping strategies of women (with adverse childhood experiences).