Faith Amid Adversity: Exploring the Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Attachment to God

Abstract

This study examined the relationships between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), attachment to God, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSD), and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in a sample of 143 adults. Informed by attachment theory and trauma literature, this research investigated whether attachment to God (anxious or avoidant) mediated the relationship between ACEs and post-traumatic outcomes. Results indicated ACEs significantly predicted PTSD symptoms but did not statistically significantly predict PTG. An anxious attachment to God predicted PTSD symptoms and mediated the relationship between ACEs and PTSD, suggesting an anxious attachment to God may intensify post-traumatic stress. An avoidant attachment to God predicted a significant inverse relationship with PTG and did not mediate the relationship between ACEs and PTG. Instead, a suppression effect was revealed suggesting that an avoidant attachment to God may suppress one’s ability to grow. Bidirectional relationships were also observed between attachment styles and posttraumatic outcomes, indicating a dynamic relationship in which psychological distress and attachment to God influence one another. These findings highlight the importance of addressing attachment patterns, trauma-informed care, spiritual counseling interventions, and suggest directions for future research and clinical practice.