The experience of divine struggle following child loss: The Case of Israeli bereaved Modern-Orthodox parents. Issue 6 (3rd July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frei-Landau, Rivi; Hasson-Ohayon, Ilanit; Tuval-Mashiach, Rivka
• Is Part Of: Death studies. Volume 46:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 1329
• Page End: 1343
• Publication Date: 2022-07-03
• Subjects: Death -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; Death -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; 306.9
• DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2020.1850547
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0748-1187

Abstract

Abstract: Child loss may undermine one's faith. Whereas much is known about religion's role following loss, less is known about the experience of divine struggle—namely, struggling with complex God-related emotions/beliefs—particularly among diverse sociocultural samples. Employing a narrative approach, we interviewed 20 bereaved Modern-Orthodox parents. Analysis revealed three types of divine struggle (explicit, implicit/silenced, none) differentiated by four categories: core emotional experience, response type, significance of faith in the coping process, and the impact of grief-induced divine struggle on parent-God relationship. Findings emphasize the need for culturally-sensitive inquiry of divine struggle, that divine struggle may be silenced, and therapists' awareness is critical.