Assessment of' Religious Coping Mechanisms of' Significant Negative Life Events among the Clergy: The Case of Selected Evangelical Churches in Addis Ababa
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2010-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Recent research indicates that endorsing religious beliefs is associated with the growth
and positive outcomes that can occur when peo ple experience negati ve events. The
present study seeks to clarify the ways that specific religious coping methods are related
to the different types of religious coping mechanisms that can be used when evangelical
clergypersons experience significant negative events. A community sample of eighty
clergy from a variety of evangelical denominations completcd questionnaires.
Participants described their religious coping, in regards to the most sc rious, negative
event they experienced. Demographics were also assessed. The results suggest that the
evangelical clergy in Addis Ababa use religious coping methods whenevcr thcy face
significant negative life events. Focus group discuss ion and interview also revealed that
most of the participants use religious coping methods when stressful situation is faced.
The specific types of religious copings that are uscd include religious coping mechanism
to find meaning, to gain control, to gain comfort and closeness to God, to gain intimacy
with others and closeness to God and to achieve a Ii fc transformation. The finding of the
study, particularly the implications for understanding the role of counseling psychology
to enhance coping mechanisms are forwarded .
Description
Keywords
Significant Negative Life Events among the Clergy