Spiritual and Religious Transformation in Women Who Were Parentally Bereaved as Adolescents

Abstract

This article is based on a larger research study that focused on how an adolescent girl's identity development is influenced by the death of a parent. A sample of 18 women was recruited for the study. This article highlights the transformation of these women's spiritual and religious beliefs as part of their identity development following the death of their parents. The different pathways the women took with respect to their views on religion and spirituality are exemplified in what follows, highlighting themes of struggle and connection.