SPIRITUALITY AS A PROTECTIVE FACTOR
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A Multinational Study of Adults Separated from Parental Care as Children
Adults who were separated from parental care as children and resided in alternative care settings often experience difficulties throughout their lifespan. Thus, it is important to explore factors that lead to better outcomes. The current study sought to investigate the ways that adults with care experience believed that spirituality impacted their well-being in adulthood.
Based on a multinational individuals sample of experience with lived
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RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT
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Participants felt the supportive presence of God, that they felt listened to by and connected with God, and that their spiritual relationship with God was transformative in their lives.
Spiritual communities were abundant sources of social and emotional support for adults with care experience, and this support had significant impacts on their lives. “My spiritual mom. She never gave up on me & was the only one who loved me unconditionally.”
“My personal relationship with God - He gave me love... I belong to Him.”
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SPIRITUALITY AS A COMPONENT OF IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT
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A BELIEF IN A HIGHER PURPOSE Respondents believed there was a specific, designed purpose for their lives. This belief served as a mitigating factor and source of future hopes.
Respondents spoke of “finding themselves” and defining their adult identities within the context of their spirituality, positively developing identities through a relationship with God.
“Life is so good and God has a plan and a purpose. I would go through it again 100 times if it meant leading someone to Christ.”
“To help them to find their identity in Christ, to know that they are not a mistake and that he loves them.” 6
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SPIRITUALITYMOTIVATED SERVANTHOOD Spirituality was a motivator to serve others or to serve God by serving others.
“To love others in a way that points them to Christ.”
ACCESS TO SPIRITUALITYBASED TEACHINGS AND TEACHERS Respondents often grew in their spirituality due to spiritual instruction or spiritual instructors and thought it was important to teach future generations about their spiritual beliefs. “My family and church community... taught me biblical wisdom and discernment. They taught me selfcontrol, gentleness, compassion, & strength.”