Religious Coping and Post-traumatic Growth among Women Survivor of Intimate Partner Violence: A Literature Review

Abstract

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)  refers to violence inflicted by partners that can result in traumatic consequences for the victim. IPV not only adversely affects both physical and mental health but could also enable individuals to achieve positive changes after trauma, a phenomenon recognized as Post Traumatic Growth (PTG). PTG is intricately linked with various factors, one noteworthy factor being coping strategies. Among these strategies, religious coping is a significant approach that individuals adopt when confronted with difficulties and challenges. This research seeks to conduct a literature review on studies related to understanding posttraumatic growth and examining the role of religious coping in the recovery process of individuals who have experienced IPV. The method of this reserach is based on the De Klerk & Pretorius (2019), which follows these steps: (1) selecting reserach topic, (2) finding relevant resources, (3) selecting key liteature (4) data extraction (5) analyzing data, (6) presenting the findings, and (7) drawing conclusions. A total of 23 articles from 2014 to 2024 were eligible and analyzed to explore the relationship between PTG and religious coping among IPV survivors. Results of the present review suggest that religious coping is associated with PTG by transforming meaning in life, using faith and religious practices as a source of personal strength, and improving relationships with others. These aspects are aligned with the domains of PTG, namely changes in outlook on life, perception of self, and experience of relationships with others.  This findings provides implications for practitioners to integrate religious coping strategies into the recovery process of IPV survivors to help them promote growth.

Keywords
  • Intimate partner violence
  • Posttraumatic growth
  • Religious coping
How to Cite
Dinhudayah, Z., & Kilis, G. (2024). Religious Coping and Post-traumatic Growth among Women Survivor of Intimate Partner Violence: A Literature Review . KONSELOR, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.24036/0202413380-0-86
References
  1. Abu-Raiya, H., Sasson, T., Palachy, S., Mozes, E., & Tourgeman, A. (2017). The relationships between religious coping and mental and physical health among female survivors of intimate partner violence in Israel. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 9(Suppl 1), S70–S78. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000107
  2. Abu-Raiya, H., & Sulleiman, R. (2021). Direct and Indirect Links Between Religious Coping and Posttraumatic Growth Among Muslims Who Lost Their Children Due to Traffic Accidents. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22(5), 2215–2234. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00318-5
  3. Adjei, S. B., & Mpiani, A. (2022). “I Have Since Repented”: Discursive Analysis of the Role of Religion in Husband-to-Wife Abuse in Ghana. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(5–6), NP3528–NP3551. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520948528
  4. Anderson, K. M., Renner, L. M., & Danis, F. S. (2012). Recovery: Resilience and Growth in the Aftermath of Domestic Violence. Violence Against Women, 18(11), 1279–1299. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801212470543
  5. Ano, G. G., & Vasconcelles, E. B. (2005). Religious coping and psychological adjustment to stress: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 61(4), 461–480. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20049
  6. Arandia, A. M. H., Mordeno, I. G., & Nalipay, Ma. J. N. (2018). Assessing the Latent Structure of Posttraumatic Growth and Its Relationship With Cognitive Processing of Trauma Among Filipino Women Victims of Intimate Partner Abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 33(18), 2849–2866. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260516632354
  7. Bakaitytė, A., Kaniušonytė, G., Truskauskaitė-Kunevičienė, I., & Žukauskienė, R. (2022). Longitudinal Investigation of Posttraumatic Growth in Female Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: The Role of Event Centrality and Identity Exploration. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(1–2), NP1058–NP1076. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520920864
  8. Bakaitytė, A., Puente-Martínez, A., Ubilos-Landa, S., & Žukauskienė, R. (2022a). Path to posttraumatic growth: The role of centrality of event, deliberate and intrusive rumination, and self blame in women victims and survivors of intimate partner violence. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1018569. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1018569
  9. Bakaitytė, A., Puente-Martínez, A., Ubilos-Landa, S., & Žukauskienė, R. (2022b). Path to posttraumatic growth: The role of centrality of event, deliberate and intrusive rumination, and self blame in women victims and survivors of intimate partner violence. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1018569. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1018569
  10. Black, M. C. (2011). Intimate Partner Violence and Adverse Health Consequences: Implications for Clinicians. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 5(5), 428–439. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827611410265
  11. Bradley, R., Schwartz, A. C., & Kaslow, N. J. (2005). Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among low-income, African American women with a history of intimate partner violence and suicidal behaviors: Self-esteem, social support, and religious coping. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 18(6), 685–696. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.20077
  12. Brosi, M., Rolling, E., Gaffney, C., & Kitch, B. (2020). Beyond Resilience: Glimpses into Women’s Posttraumatic Growth after Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 48(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2019.1691084
  13. Bryngeirsdottir, H. S., Arnault, D. S., & Halldorsdottir, S. (2022). The Post-Traumatic Growth Journey of Women Who Have Survived Intimate Partner Violence: A Synthesized Theory Emphasizing Obstacles and Facilitating Factors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(14), 8653. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148653
  14. Calhoun, L.G., & Tedeschi, R.G. (Eds.). (1999). Facilitating Posttraumatic Growth: A Clinician's Guide (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410602268
  15. Calhoun, L. G., Cann, A., Tedeschi, R. G., & McMillan, J. (2000). A correlational test of the relationship between posttraumatic growth, religion, and cognitive processing. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 13(3), 521–527. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007745627077
  16. Chadambuka, C. (2022). Coping Strategies Adopted by Women Who Experienced Intimate Partner Violence in the Context of Social Norms in Rural Areas in Zimbabwe. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(5–6), 2776–2800. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520943734
  17. Chandan, J. S., Thomas, T., Bradbury-Jones, C., Russell, R., Bandyopadhyay, S., Nirantharakumar, K., & Taylor, J. (2020). Female survivors of intimate partner violence and risk of depression, anxiety and serious mental illness. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 217(4), 562–567. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2019.124
  18. Cobb, A. R., Tedeschi, R. G., Calhoun, L. G., & Cann, A. (2006). Correlates of posttraumatic growth in survivors of intimate partner violence. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 19(6), 895–903. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.20171
  19. D’Amore, C., Martin, S. L., Wood, K., & Brooks, C. (2021). Themes of Healing and Posttraumatic Growth in Women Survivors’ Narratives of Intimate Partner Violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(5–6), NP2697–NP2724. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260518767909
  20. de Klerk, W., & Pretorius, J. (2019). Guideline for conducting critical reviews in psychology research. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 29(6), 645–649. https://doi.org/10.1080/14330237.2019.1691793
  21. Dewi, A. N. K., Karini, S. M., & Scarvanovi, B. W. (2022). “GROWING STRONGER”: GAMBARAN KOPING RELIGIUS POSITIF DAN PERTUMBUHAN PASCATRAUMA PADA PASIEN KANKER PAYUDARA. Seurune : Jurnal Psikologi Unsyiah, 5(2), 113–128. https://doi.org/10.24815/s-jpu.v5i2.27020
  22. Drumm, R., Popescu, M., Cooper, L., Trecartin, S., Seifert, M., Foster, T., & Kilcher, C. (2014). “God Just Brought Me Through It”: Spiritual Coping Strategies for Resilience Among Intimate Partner Violence Survivors. Clinical Social Work Journal, 42(4), 385–394. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-013-0449-y
  23. Dyjakon, D., & Rajba, B. (2022). Post-traumatic Growth: Longitudinal Study on Battered Women in Close Relationships after Both They and Their Partners Undergo Therapy. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(13–14), NP12190–NP12206. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260521997932
  24. Elderton, A., Berry, A., & Chan, C. (2017). A Systematic Review of Posttraumatic Growth in Survivors of Interpersonal Violence in Adulthood. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 18(2), 223–236. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838015611672
  25. Flasch, P., Murray, C. E., & Crowe, A. (2017). Overcoming Abuse: A Phenomenological Investigation of the Journey to Recovery From Past Intimate Partner Violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 32(22), 3373–3401. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260515599161
  26. Frazier, P. A., & Berman, M. I. (2008). Posttraumatic growth following sexual assault. Trauma, Recovery, and Growth: Positive Psychological Perspectives on Posttraumatic Stress., 161–181. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118269718.ch9
  27. García, F. E., Páez, D., Reyes-Reyes, A., & Álvarez, R. (2017). Religious Coping as Moderator of Psychological Responses to Stressful Events: A Longitudinal Study. Religions, 8(4), 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel8040062
  28. Gerber, M. M., Boals, A., & Schuettler, D. (2011). The Unique Contributions of Positive and Negative Religious Coping to Posttraumatic Growth and PTSD.
  29. Helgeson, V. S., Reynolds, K. A., & Tomich, P. L. (2006). A meta-analytic review of benefit finding and growth. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(5), 797–816. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.74.5.797
  30. Heron, R. L., Eisma, M., & Browne, K. (2022). Why Do Female Domestic Violence Victims Remain in or Leave Abusive Relationships? A Qualitative Study. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 31(5), 677–694. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2021.2019154
  31. Istratii, R., & Ali, P. (2023). A Scoping Review on the Role of Religion in the Experience of IPV and Faith-Based Responses in Community and Counseling Settings. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 51(2), 141–173. https://doi.org/10.1177/00916471221143440
  32. Katerndahl, D., Burge, S., Ferrer, R., Becho, J., & Wood, R. (2015). Effects of religious and spiritual variables on outcomes in violent relationships. The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 49(4), 249–263. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091217415589297
  33. Lazarus, R. S. (1993). FROM PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS TO THE EMOTIONS: A History of Changing Outlooks. Annu. Rev. Psychol.
  34. Li, Q., & Hu, J. (2022). Post-traumatic Growth and Psychological Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Serial Mediation Model. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 780807. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.780807
  35. Lilly, M. M., Howell, K. H., & Graham-Bermann, S. (2015). World Assumptions, Religiosity, and PTSD in Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence. Violence Against Women, 21(1), 87–104. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801214564139
  36. Miller, E., & McCaw, B. (2019). Intimate Partner Violence. New England Journal of Medicine, 380(9), 850–857. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1807166
  37. Page M J, McKenzie J E, Bossuyt P M, Boutron I, Hoffmann T C, Mulrow C D et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews BMJ 2021; 372 :n71 doi:10.1136/bmj.n71
  38. Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. The Psychology of Religion and Coping: Theory, Research, Practice., xii, 548–xii, 548.
  39. Pargament, K. I., Smith, B. W., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. (1998a). Patterns of Positive and Negative Religious Coping with Major Life Stressors. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37(4), 710. https://doi.org/10.2307/1388152
  40. Pargament, K. I., Smith, B. W., Koenig, H. G., & Perez, L. (1998b). Patterns of positive and negative religious coping with major life stressors. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 710–724.
  41. Park, C. L. (2005). Religion as a Meaning‐Making Framework in Coping with Life Stress. Journal of Social Issues, 61(4), 707–729. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.2005.00428.x
  42. Pico-Alfonso, M. A., Garcia-Linares, M. I., Celda-Navarro, N., Blasco-Ros, C., Echeburúa, E., & Martinez, M. (2006). The Impact of Physical, Psychological, and Sexual Intimate Male Partner Violence on Women’s Mental Health: Depressive Symptoms, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, State Anxiety, and Suicide. Journal of Women’s Health, 15(5), 599–611. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2006.15.599
  43. Rahayu, D. (2020). Strategi Koping Sebagai Mediator Pengaruh Optimisme Dan Dukungan Sosial Terhadap Posttraumatic Growth Pada Perempuan Korban Kekerasan Dalam Rumah Tangga.
  44. Simonič, B. (2021). The Power of Women’s Faith in Coping with Intimate Partner Violence: Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Religion and Health, 60(6), 4278–4295. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01222-9
  45. Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (1995). Trauma & transformation: Growing in the aftermath of suffering. Trauma & Transformation: Growing in the Aftermath of Suffering., x, 163–x, 163. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781483326931
  46. Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (1996). The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory: Measuring the positive legacy of trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 9.
  47. Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). TARGET ARTICLE: “Posttraumatic Growth: Conceptual Foundations and Empirical Evidence.” Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli1501_01
  48. Tedeschi, R. G., Jane Shakespeare-Finch, Kanako Taku, & Lawrence G. Calhoun. (2018). Posttraumatic Growth: Theory, Research and Applications. Routledge.
  49. Thombre, A., Sherman, A. C., & Simonton, S. (2010). Religious Coping and Posttraumatic Growth Among Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients in India. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 28(2), 173–188. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347330903570537
  50. Tonsing, J., & Barn, R. (2021). Help-seeking behaviors and practices among Fijian women who experience domestic violence: An exploration of the role of religiosity as a coping strategy. International Social Work, 64(6), 931–942. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872820904159
  51. Ulloa, E. C., Hammett, J. F., Guzman, M. L., & Hokoda, A. (2015). Psychological growth in relation to intimate partner violence: A review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 25, 88–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2015.07.007
  52. Valdez, C. E., & Lilly, M. M. (2015). Posttraumatic Growth in Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: An Assumptive World Process. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 30(2), 215–231. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260514533154
  53. Voytenko, V. L., Pargament, K. I., Cowden, R. G., Lemke, A. W., Kurniati, N. M. T., Bechara, A. O., Joynt, S., Tymchenko, S., Khalanskyi, V. V., Shtanko, L., Kocum, M., Korzhov, H., Mathur, M. B., Ho, M. Y., VanderWeele, T. J., & Worthington, E. L. (2023). Religious coping with interpersonal hurts: Psychosocial correlates of the brief RCOPE in four non-Western countries. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 15(1), 43–55. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000441
  54. Watlington, C. G., & Murphy, C. M. (2006). The Roles of Religion and Spirituality Among African American Survivors of Domestic Violence. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(7), 837–857. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20268
  55. Zlotnick, C., & Manor-Lavon, I. (2023). Resilience, optimism and posttraumatic growth in first-time mothers. Research in Nursing & Health, 46(6), 576–590. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.22338
  56. Žukauskienė, R., Kaniušonytė, G., Bergman, L. R., Bakaitytė, A., & Truskauskaitė-Kunevičienė, I. (2021). The Role of Social Support in Identity Processes and Posttraumatic Growth: A Study of Victims of Intimate Partner Violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(15–16), 7599–7624. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519836785