Religion-specific resources for meaning-making from suffering: defining the territory |
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| Authors: | M Elizabeth Lewis Hall Laura Shannonhouse Jamie Aten Jason McMartin Eric J Silverman |
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| Institution: | 1. Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University, La Mirada, CA, USA;2. Department of Counseling and Psychological Services, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA;3. Department of Psychology, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, USA;4. Department of Biblical and Theological Studies, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, CA, USA;5. Department of Philosophy and Religion, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA, USA |
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| Abstract: | The purpose of this review paper is to present a case for more proximal and emic approaches to the study of religious meaning-making in suffering. Meaning-making is an important way in which religion and spirituality contribute to adjustment in the context of encountering difficult life events. However, much of the available research on religious meaning-making ignores the contributions of specific religions to the meaning-making process. We begin by presenting a rationale for more sustained attention to religion-specific resources for meaning-making in suffering. Using Park’s meaning-making model as the organising framework, we then articulate how religions contribute unique global beliefs, situational beliefs, meaning-making processes, and valued outcomes to meaning-making. We illustrate these using existing research. Next, we suggest a refinement to Park’s model, offering a preliminary recursive model involving these identified components. We conclude with a brief prospectus informed by our model for future research. |
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| Keywords: | Meaning diversity suffering |
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