Date of Conferral

10-23-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Andrea Goldstein

Abstract

In recent years, greater attention has been paid to the effects of sexual abuse within Christianity. There was a need for greater understanding of the psychological aspect of spiritual abuse within familial dynamics. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the phenomenon of emotional spiritual abuse that victims experience within Christian families. Using a theoretical foundation based on Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory and Bowen's family systems theory, this study focused on relationships within victims’ microsystem, mesosystem, and exosystem. It also explored the concept of emotional triangles in times of conflict. The data source consisted of one-on-one participant interviews featuring semi-structured, open-ended questions. The nine interviews were transcribed using Otter.ai and then inductively coded. The 37 identified categories were further coded into eight themes: traumatic stressors, clerical, prejudicial, activities, familial/relational, intimacy, satanic, and Biblical literature. The themes indicate the strategies and tactics utilized against the participants to commit emotional spiritual abuse. Identifying the common strategies and tactics that are used to commit emotional spiritual abuse may contribute to early identification. The study may also foster positive social change by informing professionals of the need for a more victim-centered approach to addressing emotional spiritual abuse.

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