Introduction 

Religion plays a significant role in many people’s lives worldwide, offering comfort, a sense of purpose, and a community to rely on. For many, faith serves as a powerful tool for navigating challenges while fostering connections with others who share similar values. However, religion is not always a source of comfort. At times, it becomes a source of internal or external conflict, raising important questions about how faith interacts with mental health. This brings us to the concept of “spiritual struggles,” a term that includes three main types of conflicts: divine struggles (feeling abandoned or punished by God), interpersonal struggles (conflicts with others in a religious community), and intrapsychic struggles (internal doubts about one’s beliefs). This article explores the research question: How do spiritual struggles affect mental health, and why is it crucial to explore their complexities further?  

Ellison and Lee (2010) explored these struggles and their effects on psychological well-being. While religion generally benefits mental health by offering community and purpose, their findings revealed that spiritual struggles can lead to boost anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which consequently leads to what is known as the dark side of religion. Similarly, Exline (2002) argued that spiritual conflicts often arise during times of personal crisis, amplifying feelings of guilt and alienation. This article examines the psychological impact of these struggles and highlights the need to address the challenges associated with faith to understand better how religion can have miscellaneous roles in mental health. 

 

Literature Review with Empirical Evidence 

1. Divine Struggles and Psychological Impact

Divine struggles occur when individuals feel abandoned by God, perceive divine punishment, or question God’s compassion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people felt alone and scared as they lost loved ones or dealt with their own health problems. They prayed for healing or an end to the pandemic but started to wonder why their prayers seemed unanswered. With churches closed, they could not find comfort or community through worship, which made them feel even more disconnected from God. This struggle left many questioning how a loving God could allow so much pain and suffering, showing the kind of spiritual conflict. Ellison and Lee (2010) found that individuals experiencing divine struggles often report higher levels of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. 

These struggles are particularly painful for some individuals since they disrupt the comforting relationship that many people seek with God. Pargament’s theories (Murray & Ciarrocchi, 2007) highlight that individuals often turn to God during crises, considering their faith as a protective resource to find comfort. However, when this connection becomes a source of doubt, individuals may feel isolated, unsupported, and even unlovable. This disconnection can be upsetting for those whose identity is deeply attached to their faith. 

For instance, someone diagnosed with cancer may struggle emotionally, questioning why God would allow them to suffer. Similarly, an individual grieving the loss of a loved one to cancer might feel abandoned by God or blame God for taking their loved one away. In contrast, others may view their illness or loss as part of God’s plan, finding comfort in their faith and accepting their circumstances, which can help them face their situation with peace. These reactions align with Kirkpatrick’s attachment theory, supported by Krause and Wulff (2004), which explains that viewing God as a forgiving father figure can lead to better coping, while perceiving God as punishing or distant can increase emotional distress. Fitchett et al. (1999) observed similar patterns in their study of medical patients, finding that those who believed God was punishing them experienced slower recovery rates and higher levels of stress-related symptoms. 

The cycle of divine struggles is continuous feelings of abandonment and punishment, which can lead to stress and isolation, which intensify the need for reassurance. Without a supportive connection to their faith, individuals may feel abandoned as they are enduring challenging times.  

2. Interpersonal Struggles in Religious Communities

Interpersonal struggles refer to conflicts within religious communities, including disagreements, criticism, and feelings of exclusion. Ellison and Lee (2010) highlighted that these conflicts are particularly harmful because religious communities are often perceived as spaces of refuge and understanding. When disputes arise within these settings, the emotional impact can be severe. For instance, someone has always found peace and belonging in their church choir. They see it as a place where everyone supports each other, and they feel close to God by worshipping him with their voices. But one day, a disagreement breaks out about who should lead the group. Suddenly, the choir that is used to comfort individuals becomes a source of stress and tension. The person feels excluded, judged, and uncertain about their place in the group, showing how deeply interpersonal conflicts can affect a community that was once a source of comfort and support. 

Becker’s concept of “greedy institutions,” as cited by Hunsberger, Pratt, and Pancer (1994), sheds light on this dynamic. Religious communities often demand considerable time, emotional investment, and loyalty from their members. When individuals feel overwhelmed or pressured, they may begin to feel burnt out or resentful. For example, someone heavily involved in church activities might struggle with feelings of inadequacy or fear of judgment if they step back from their commitments. 

Negative interactions within religious groups can also undermine a person’s self-esteem and faith. Krause and Wulff (2004) found that conflicts involving deeply held beliefs carry an especially heavy emotional weight. When disagreements arise over values, lifestyles, or political opinions, they can leave lasting scars on an individual’s mental health, leading to feelings of alienation and doubt. 

These struggles often disrupt the sense of belonging that religious communities are expected to provide. Murray and Ciarrocchi (2007) argue that such negative experiences within faith-based groups can amplify feelings of shame and guilt, compounding their emotional impact. Over time, individuals who repeatedly face judgment or exclusion may become disillusioned with their faith, reporting higher levels of anxiety and depression as a result. 

3. Intrapsychic Struggles and Chronic Religious Doubts

Intrapsychic struggles involve internal conflicts about faith, such as doubting religious beliefs or questioning God’s existence. Ellison and Lee (2010) found that these struggles are often accompanied by feelings of isolation and anxiety. Fear of judgment may prevent individuals from expressing their doubts, further intensifying their inner conflict. 

Exline (2002) described such struggles as leading to a “crisis of faith,” where individuals begin to question the foundational beliefs they once held. This process is often deeply unsettling and associated with intense levels of stress, particularly in communities that discourage doubt or view it as a weakness. Suppressing these doubts can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and loneliness, making the experience even more distressing. 

Chronic religious doubts are also closely tied to poorer mental health outcomes. Galek et al. (as cited in Murray & Ciarrocchi, 2007) found that individuals wrestling with unresolved doubts are more likely to experience depression and anxiety. Krause and Wulff (2004) describe the resulting “spiritual isolation,” in which individuals feel disconnected from their faith communities, leaving them to struggle with their doubts alone. 

Hunsberger, Pratt, and Pancer (1994) suggest that religious communities that foster open discussions about faith and doubt can significantly reduce these struggles’ emotional impact. When individuals feel supported in expressing their questions and concerns, they are more likely to experience personal growth and less likely to view their doubts as failures. Creating spaces where doubt is accepted as a natural part of faith could help individuals navigate these struggles more resiliently. 

Synthesis and Conclusion 

Research on spiritual struggles reveals their profound impact on mental health, highlighting a more complex relationship between religion and emotional well-being. Ellison and Lee (2010) show that while religion often provides comfort and support, spiritual struggles, whether divine, interpersonal, or intrapsychic, can lead to strong levels of suffering. Divine struggles, characterized by feelings of abandonment or punishment by God, disrupt an individual’s sense of spiritual security and can lead to feelings of hopelessness. Interpersonal struggles within religious communities, where judgment and exclusion are prevalent, often undermine the sense of belonging that faith groups are meant to provide. Lastly, intrapsychic struggles, or doubts about faith, leave individuals feeling isolated and ashamed, particularly in communities that discourage open discussions of doubt. 

Recognizing the darker sides of faith is essential for fostering a more balanced understanding of religion’s role in mental health. Murray and Ciarrocchi (2007) emphasize the importance of creating supportive religious communities that encourage open dialogue about struggles and doubts. By offering a space where individuals feel safe to express their conflicts, faith communities can help reduce the psychological toll of spiritual struggles. 

Future research should explore how cultural and demographic factors shape the experience of spiritual struggles and how different religious traditions address these conflicts. By acknowledging the positive and negative aspects of faith, religious communities can create environments that support their members through their joys and challenges, fostering greater emotional and spiritual well-being. 

 

References 

• Ellison, C. G., & Lee, J. (2010). Spiritual Struggles and Psychological Distress: Is There a Dark Side of Religion? Social Indicators Research, 98(3), 501–517.  

• Exline, J. J. (2002). Stumbling blocks on the religious road: Fractured relationships, nagging vices, and the inner struggle to believe. Psychological Inquiry, 13(3), 182–189. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1303_03  

• Fitchett, G., Rybarczyk, B. D., DeMarco, G. A., & Nicholas, J. J. (2021). The Role of Religion in Medical Rehabilitation Outcomes: A Longitudinal Study. In Transforming Chaplaincy: The George Fitchett Reader (pp. 3–27). https://doi.org/10.1037/0090–5550.44.4.333  

• Hunsberger, B., Pratt, M., & Pancer, S. M. (1994). Religious Fundamentalism and Integrative Complexity of Thought: A Relationship for Existential Content Only? Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 33(4), 335–346. https://doi.org/10.2307/1386493 

• Krause, N., & Wulff, K. M. (2004). Religious doubt and health: exploring the potential dark side of religion. Sociology of Religion, 65(1), 35. 

• Murray, K., & Ciarrocchi, J. W. (2007). The dark side of religion, spirituality, and the moral emotions: shame, guilt, and negative religiosity as markers for life dissatisfaction. Journal of Pastoral Counseling, 42, 22.