Negative Religious Experiences, Placement of Blame, and Depression
Session Title
Final Oral Competition
Faculty Mentor
Merry Sleigh, Ph.D.
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Participants were 120 adults with a mean age of 22.85 (SD = 8.01). The majority were cisgender women (74%), Caucasian (60%), and heterosexual (66%). Participants responded to scales to assess the importance of religion in their lives, depression, and their personal negative experiences with religion, including blame attributions. We found that people who have negative religious experiences have high levels of blame, specifically directed toward religious authority figures. They were less likely to blame themselves and God. These individuals also are more detached from religious involvement and are more prone to depression. Guilt and shame were not related to level of religious trauma. Similarly, gender was not an influential variable. Instead, White and non-heterosexual adults reported more negative religious experiences and placement of blame than their demographic counterparts.
Course Assignment
PSYC 302 – Sleigh
Previously Presented/Performed?
Southeastern Psychological Association Conference and Winthrop University Showcase of Winthrop University Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors, Rock Hill, SC, April 2023
Type of Presentation
Oral presentation
Start Date
15-4-2023 12:00 PM
Negative Religious Experiences, Placement of Blame, and Depression
Participants were 120 adults with a mean age of 22.85 (SD = 8.01). The majority were cisgender women (74%), Caucasian (60%), and heterosexual (66%). Participants responded to scales to assess the importance of religion in their lives, depression, and their personal negative experiences with religion, including blame attributions. We found that people who have negative religious experiences have high levels of blame, specifically directed toward religious authority figures. They were less likely to blame themselves and God. These individuals also are more detached from religious involvement and are more prone to depression. Guilt and shame were not related to level of religious trauma. Similarly, gender was not an influential variable. Instead, White and non-heterosexual adults reported more negative religious experiences and placement of blame than their demographic counterparts.
