Becoming the bride: A psychological model of bridal identity development in women

Abstract

Identity issues have increased in modern times as a result of psychological traumas, early attachment issues, and distorted conceptions of the human person. Woman’s identity has been affected in a particular way and many females have lost a sense of their womanhood. The current work presumes a Christian anthropology and draws predominantly from Saint John Paul II’s understanding of the nature of woman as virgin-bride-mother. With particular emphasis on her bridal dimension, I apply the theological and anthropological truths about feminine identity to the psychology of woman. Scriptural references from Song of Songs aid in understanding the nature of the bride. I propose a psychological model of development of the bridal dimension of woman’s identity and identify psychological constituents particular to each stage. The argument is made that disruptions to this process often result in woman manifesting distorted brides and four categories of distortion are suggested. A case study articulates the process of bridal identity development in an individual woman. Central themes indicate that helping woman to recognize, embrace and integrate the bridal dimension of her identity is crucial to her flourishing and may assist therapists in diagnosis and treatment. Preliminary suggestions for treatment are offered.