Understanding Religious Help-Provision: Identifying Pathways, Messages, and Impact of Religious Leaders on Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Tahani Chaudhry

Advisor: Lauren B Cattaneo, PhD, Department of Psychology

Committee Members: Keith Renshaw, Supriya Baily

Online Location, https://zoom.us/j/98843907629?pwd=7DyiTwZmaGySgQJsOmjM0cNPkTWjN8.1
October 07, 2024, 09:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Abstract:

IPV is a widespread social problem that impacts the safety, emotional and physical wellbeing of survivors. When individuals experience IPV in their relationship, they frequently turn to religious communities for help (Ali et al., 2005; Chaudhry & Cattaneo, 2023; Rizo & Macy, 2011; Rotunda et al., 2004). However, the impact of this source of help varies; it can either pose as an additional barrier to wellbeing or it can facilitate healing and growth (Levitt et al., 2015; Neergaard et al., 2007; Ringel & Park, 2008). There is no comprehensive understanding of the factors that inform the impact- either helpful or harmful- of these help seeking/giving interactions between religious institutions and survivors of IPV. Paper 1 presents a scoping review describing the impact of religious help on survivors of IPV and identifying and understanding the mechanisms that influence this variable impact. This review applies an anti-deficit framework to understand the role of religious institutions in the help-seeking journey of survivors and applies an integrative perspective of power, trauma and religion to help understand this nuanced interaction. Paper 2 presents an empirical analysis of the nature of interactions between religious help providers and individuals experiencing a wide array of relationship conflicts to better understand what messages religious help providers communicate, through which pathways they communicate it and what the impact is on the person seeking help.  Help providers’ messages to help seekers prioritized (1) the individual, (2) preserving the relationship, (3) receiving support from others, and (4) cultural/religious norms. There were significant differences in the types of messages communicated and their impact by gender and religiosity of the help seeker. Analyses also examined gender as a moderator of the presence of fear on the impact of messages prioritizing religious/cultural values. Implications for research, practice, and policy are explored to improve the impact of religious help on survivors of IPV and minimize harm.