SPIRITUAL IDENTITY CLARITY: EXAMINATION OF ROLES AND IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

The present study was conducted to introduce and examine the construct of spiritual identity clarity. Drawing on the concept of self-concept clarity and insights from attachment theory, the present study has explored the potential roles of spiritual identity clarity as (a) a predictor of self-concept clarity; (b) an outcome of a secure attachment to God; and (c) a mediator – along with self-concept clarity – of the relation between attachment to God and the psychological outcomes of self-esteem and emotional states of distress. This was investigated in a sample of Singaporean Protestant Christians (N = 433) through an online questionnaire. The results were supportive of these proposed roles. Spiritual identity clarity was also found to significantly mediate the positive association between secure attachment to God and self-esteem. The relationships between a secure attachment to God and the specified psychological outcomes were consistent with existing trends in the literature, thus providing further support for the pertinence of secure attachments. The findings shed light on the significance of a clear spiritual identity in relation to desirable psychological outcomes.