Perceptions of Divine Figures Among Polish People Struggling with Homelessness or Alcohol Addiction

This study aimed to investigate antecedents of positive perceptions of divine agents and the optimistic assumption that the world is meaningful, basically good and trustworthy, as found in Polish men and women who struggle with homelessness or alcohol addiction. In the largely understudied groups of...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Niemyjska, Aleksandra (Author) ; Kofta, Mirosław 1945- (Author) ; Szczepanska, Monika (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group [2018]
In: The international journal for the psychology of religion
Year: 2018, Volume: 28, Issue: 3, Pages: 187-205
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Poland / Homeless person / Alcoholic / Supernatural being / God
IxTheo Classification:AE Psychology of religion
KBK Europe (East)
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Description
Summary:This study aimed to investigate antecedents of positive perceptions of divine agents and the optimistic assumption that the world is meaningful, basically good and trustworthy, as found in Polish men and women who struggle with homelessness or alcohol addiction. In the largely understudied groups of people who were homeless (n = 111) or alcohol addicted (n = 120), we confirmed that communal orientation is a consistent precursor of beliefs in supernatural agents such as God, the Devil and angels, as well as positive perceptions of both God and guardian angels. The antecedents of basic trust varied across participant groups. However, among them were positive attitudes toward God, communal orientation, and a deferring problem-solving style. Additionally, we found asymmetric links between perceptions of divine agents and both duration of addiction and duration of therapy in the addicted group. The former was related to a less positive perception of guardian angels and less perceived collaboration with God, whereas the latter was linked to a more positive perception of angels and more collaboration with God in problem-solving. We discuss the significance of a positive concept of divine beings for people who are homeless or alcohol addicted.
Item Description:In der Druckausgabe ist Volume 28, Numbers 1-4 in einem Heft erschienen
ISSN:1532-7582
Contains:Enthalten in: The international journal for the psychology of religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/10508619.2018.1482132