RELATIONSHIP AUTHENTICITY AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN ATTACHMENT TO GOD AND COPING STRATEGIES

Abstract

with mostly undergraduates (n = 211). Relationship authenticity with God was also explored as a relatively new concept. As predicted, relationship authenticity with God acted as a mediator and explained the relationship between attachment anxiety and avoidance, and avoidant coping strategies. The more fearful they are of abandonment and the more avoidant they are of intimacy, the more they resort to avoidant coping strategies and this was mediated by lower relationship authenticity with God. Results indicated that relationship authenticity with God also acted as a mediator between attachment avoidance and socially supported coping. The more avoidant participants were of intimacy with God, the lower the relationship authenticity with God, but the greater the amount of socially supported coping. These findings bridge the gap between attachment to God and daily coping in life, and has great implications for future research, in terms of exploring the mechanisms of our relationships with God.