Attachment to God in Low-Income Populations

Abstract

Living in poverty brings many adversities and challenges, and understanding the factors that contribute to the experience of poverty is a complex and ongoing endeavor. Although this research does not aim to provide direct solutions to poverty, it seeks to deepen the understanding of the dynamics surrounding it, specifically focusing on attachment styles in low-socioeconomic status (SES) populations. Attachment to God, a continuously growing construct in psychological research, has garnered limited exploration, particularly within low-SES groups. This study aimed to fill this gap by examining the relationship between individuals' primary attachment styles and their attachment to God in low-income populations. Findings of this study suggest a significant, moderate correspondence between attachment anxiety in primary relationships and attachment anxiety to God, aligning partially with correspondence theory. This study found moderate to strong correlations between attachment anxiety in romantic relationships, best friendships, and close relationships with attachment anxiety to God. However, no significant correlation was found between attachment avoidance in primary relationships and avoidance in attachment to God. Additionally, no significant relationship between income and attachment security was found, suggesting that factors beyond income, such as relational stability, may shape attachment dynamics in low-income populations. This study extends correspondence theory, provides novel insights into attachment to God in low-SES populations, and provides a foundation for further exploration of the complex relationship between socioeconomic status, attachment styles, and religious attachment.