Predictors of Growth From Spiritual Struggle in Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

When coping with intimate partner violence (IPV), many women describe religion/spirituality as a source of comfort and strength. However, they may simultaneously experience distress from religious/spiritual struggles. This mixed-methods study surveyed 58 women who experienced such struggles. It asked whether the struggles could paradoxically lead to spiritual and posttraumatic growth. It additionally sought to identify religious/spiritual factors that were predictive of such growth. The study found that positive religious coping (e.g., turning to God for help) directly predicted growth from spiritual struggle. Other factors (e.g., religious engagement and perceptions of God's help) predicted growth indirectly.