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- Title
Returning to Faith: A Q Methodology Analysis of Messages that Resonated with Individuals Who Had Experienced and Resolved a Faith Crisis.
- Authors
Zurcher, Jessica D.; Vail, Maggie; Robinson II, Tom; Han, Mia; Ivanovich, Ljubica; Walz, Robert
- Abstract
Research grounded in religious studies and attachment theory demonstrates links between experiencing and resolving faith crises with a perceived break and restoration of a relationship with God. Experiences of faith crises are unique, however, and little research has explored the diverse ways in which faith can be restored—particularly from a messaging perspective. The present study used Q methodology to capture the varied and nuanced messages that resonated with Christian respondents who had experienced and resolved a faith crisis. The Q-sort consisted of 37 statements that participants sorted on a nine-category continuum. Brief, semistructured qualitative interviews followed the Q-sort. The results identified four distinct factors that conveyed unique messages about an individual's return to religion and/or spirituality after experiencing a crisis of faith: (1) resilient God Seekers, (2) self-compassionates, (3) marathon runners, and (4) scripture seekers. Thus, the present study suggests that religious organizations and practitioners should refrain from using a generalized approach in their communication with members who struggle with faith as the participants gravitated toward separate, distinct, and unique messaging.
- Subjects
Q technique; ATTACHMENT theory (Psychology); FAITH; RELIGIOUS experience; SEMI-structured interviews; CRISES
- Publication
Pastoral Psychology, 2024, Vol 73, Issue 2, p197
- ISSN
0031-2789
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s11089-023-01112-9