Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spirituality, Anger, and Stress in Early Adolescents

  • Original paper
  • Published:
Journal of Religion and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of spiritual beliefs and involvement with anger and stress in early adolescents. Early adolescents (n = 53) completed the Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale (Hatch et al. 1998), the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (Spielberger 1999), and the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen and Williamson 1988). Contrary to expectations, spirituality was significantly and positively related to anger and stress. Implications and possible explanations for the unanticipated findings in this study are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, T., Bezner, J., Drabbs, M., Zambarano, R. A., & Steinhardt, M. (2000). Conceptualization and measurement of the spiritual and psychological dimensions of wellness in a college population. Journal of American College Health, 48, 165–173.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, J. R., & Allen, B. A. (2000). Violence: Early childhood, family, and context. Transactional Analysis Journal, 30, 111–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. (1999). Prisoners of hate: The cognitive basis of anger, hostility, and violence. New York: Harper Collins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A., Emery, G., & Greenberg, R. (1985). Anxiety disorders and phobias: A cognitive perspective. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broderick, P. C., & Korteland, C. (2002). Coping style and depression in early adolescence: Relationships to gender, gender role, and implicit beliefs. Sex Roles, 46(7/8), 201–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calamari, E., & Pini, M. (2003). Dissociative experiences and anger proneness in late adolescent females with different attachment styles. Adolescence, 38, 287–304.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S. & Williamson, G. M. (1988). Perceived stress in a probability sample of the United States. In S. Spacapan & S. Oskamp (Eds.), The Social Psychology of Health, Claremont Symposium on Applied Social Psychology (pp. 31-67). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

  • Cole, S. R. (1999). Assessment of differential item functioning in the perceived stress scale-10. Journal of Epidemiological Community Health, 53, 319–320.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crain, W. (2000). Theories of development: Concepts and applications (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deffenbacher, J. L., Oetting, E. R., Thwaites, G. A., Lynch, R. S., Baker, D. A., Stark, R. S., et al. (1996). State-trait anger theory and the utility of the trait anger scale. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 43, 131–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eckhardt, C., Norlander, B., & Deffenbacher, J. (2004). The assessment of anger and hostility: A critical review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 9, 17–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellison, C. (1998). Introduction to symposium: Religion, health, and well-being. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 37, 692–695.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emmons, R., Cheung, C., & Tehrani, K. (1998). Assessing spirituality through personal goals: Implications for research on religion and subjective well-being. Social Indicators Research, 45, 391–422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth & crisis. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flavell, J. H. (1963). The developmental psychology of Jean Piaget. Princeton, NJ: Van Nostrand.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Fowler, J. W. (1981). Stages of faith: The psychology of human development and the quest for meaning. New York: Harper & Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, M. W. (1996). Aggressive behavior in childhood and early adolescence: An ecological-developmental perspective on youth violence. Social Work, 41, 347–361.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goldston, D., Daniel, S., Reboussin, D., Kelly, A., Ievers, C., & Brunstetter, R. (1996). First-time suicide attempters, repeat attempters, and previous attempters on an adolescent inpatient psychiatry unit. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 35, 631–639.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, R., Burg, M., Naberhaus, D., & Hellmich, L. K. (1998). The Spiritual Involvement and beliefs scale: Development and testing of a new instrument. Journal of Family Practice, 46, 476–486.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hauber, R., Rice, M., Howell, C., & Carmon, M. (1998). Anger and blood pressure readings in children. Applied Nursing Research, 11, 2–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Irvin, J. L. (1996). [Electronic version]. Developmental tasks of early adolescence: How adult awareness can reduce at-risk behavior, 69(4), 422–425. Retrieved February 27, 2006, from Ephost database.

  • Kashani, J., Dahlmeier, J., Borduin, C., Soltys, S., & Reid, J. (1995). Characteristics of anger expression in depressed children. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 34, 322–326.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kassinove, H. (1995). Anger disorders: Definition, diagnosis, and treatment (pp. 1–26). Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kassinove, H., & Sukhodolsky, D. (1995). Anger disorders: Basic science and practice issues. In H. Kassinove (Ed.), Anger disorders: Definition, diagnosis, and treatment (pp. 1–26). Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kegan, R. (1980). The evolving self: Problems and process in human development. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kegan, R. (1998). In over our heads: The mental demands of modern life. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerr, M., & Schneider, B. (2008). Anger expression in children and adolescents: A review of empirical literature. Clinical Psychology Review, 28, 559–577.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kohlberg, L. (1981). The philosophy of moral development. New York: Harper & Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause, N., Ellison, C. G., Shaw, B. A., Marcum, J. P., & Boardman, J. D. (2001). Church-based social support and religious coping. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 40, 637–656.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lepore, S. J., & Smyth, J. M. (2002). The writing cure: How expressive writing promotes health and emotional well-being. Washington, DC: APA.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lewin, L. M., Davis, B., & Hops, H. (1999). Childhood social predictors of adolescent antisocial behavior: Gender differences in predictive accuracy and efficacy. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 27, 277–292.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lipsitz, J., & Jackson, A. W. (1997). What works in middle-grades school reform. Phi Delta Kappan, 78, 517–520.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markstrom, C. A. (1999). Religious involvement and adolescent psychosocial development. Journal of Adolescence, 22, 205–221.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moshman, D. (2005). Adolescent psychological development: Rationality, morality, and identity (2nd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller, W., Grunbaum, J., & Labarthe, D. (2001). Anger expression, body fat, and blood pressure in adolescents: Project heartbeat!. American Journal of Human Biology, 13, 531–538.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Muris, P., Meesters, C., Morren, M., & Moorman, L. (2004). Anger and hostility in adolescents: Relationships with self-reported attachment style and perceived parental rearing styles. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 57(3), 257–264.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping: Theory, research, practice. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petersen, A. C. (1988). Adolescent development. Annual Review of Psychology, 39, 583–607.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Plancherel, B., & Bolognini, M. (1995). Coping and mental health in early adolescence. Journal of Adolescence, 18, 459–473.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plante, T., & Sherman, A. (Eds.). (2001). Faith and healing: Psychological perspectives. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rique, J., & Camino, C. (1997). Consistency and inconsistency in adolescents’ moral reasoning. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 21(4), 813–836.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sandhu, D., Arora, M., & Sandhu, V. (2001). School violence: Risk factors, psychological correlates, prevention and intervention strategies. In D. Sandhu (Ed.), Faces of violence: Psychological correlates, concepts, and intervention strategies (pp. 45–71). Hauppauge: Nova Science.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schafer, W. E. (1997). Religiosity, spirituality, and personal distress among college students. Journal of College Student Development, 38, 633–644.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seybold, K. S., & Hill, P. C. (2001). The role of religion and spirituality in mental and physical health. Current Direction in Psychological Science, 10, 21–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharkin, B. S. (1996). Understanding anger: Comment on Deffenbacher, Oetting, et al. (1996), Deffenbacher, Lynch, et al. (1996), and Kopper and Epperson (1996). Journal of Counseling Psychology, 43, 166–169.

  • Silberman, M. A., & Snarey, J. (1993). Gender differences in moral development during early adolescence: The contribution of sex-related variations in maturation. Current Psychology, 12, 163–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silver, M., Field, T., Sauders, C., & Diego, M. (2000). Angry adolescents who worry about becoming violent. Adolescence, 35, 663–670.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spiegel, D., & Alpert, J. L. (2000). The relationship between shame and rage: Conceptualizing the violence at Columbine High School. Journal for the Psychoanalysis of Culture and Society, 5, 237–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spielberger, C. (1999). STAXI-2: State-trait anger expression inventory-2: Professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spilka, B., & Werme, P. H. (1971). Religion and mental disorder: A research perspective. In M. Strommen (Ed.), Research on religious development: A comprehensive handbook (pp. 161–181). New York: Hawthorn.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanard, R. P., Sandhu, D. S., & Painter, L. C. (2000). Assessment of spirituality in counseling. Journal of Counseling and Development, 78, 204–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vernberg, E., & Jacobs, A. (1999). Peer victimization and attitudes about violence during early adolescence. Journal of Clinical Child Psychiatry, 159, 486–488.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wauters, J. W., Jr., & Moser, R. S. (2000). Religious and spiritual factors in youth violence. In R. Moser & C. Frantz (Eds.), Shocking violence: Youth perpetrators and victims—A multidisciplinary perspective (pp. 113–124). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wertheimer, J. (2003). Quality of life after a traumatic brain injury: The role of spirituality. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Oklahoma State University.

  • Williams, K. & McGillicuddy-De Lisi, A. (1999). Coping strategies in adolescents. [Electronic version]. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 20(4), 537–549. Retrieved January 7, 2000, from Ephost database.

  • Winterowd, C., Harrist, R. S., Thomason, N., Worth, S., & Carlozzi, B. L. (2005). The relationship of spiritual beliefs and involvement with the experience of anger. Journal of College Student Development, 46, 517–531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winterowd, C., Miville, M., Willmon, S., Schultz, L., Dudley, A., Sheader-Wood, J., & Warner, L. (2009a). Anger, acculturation, post-colonial stress, and hope among American Indian peoples. Manuscript in preparation.

  • Winterowd, C., Wertheimer, J., McCracken, J., McGaha, V., & Zamora, R. (2009b). The impact of parents’ presence in the home and gender on parental attachment and anger experience and expression in adolescents. Manuscript in preparation.

  • Young, J., Cashwell, C., & Shcherbakova, J. (2000). The moderating relationship of spirituality on negative life events and psychological adjustment. Counseling and Values, 45, 49–58.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Applied Health and Education Psychology, Oklahoma State University, 416 Willard Hall, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA

    Barbara L. Carlozzi

  2. School of Applied Health and Education Psychology, Oklahoma State University, 409 Willard Hall, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA

    Carrie Winterowd

  3. School of Applied Health and Education Psychology, Oklahoma State University, 419 Willard Hall, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA

    R. Steven Harrist

  4. School of Applied Health and Education Psychology, Oklahoma State University, 434 Willard Hall, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA

    Nancy Thomason, Kristi Bratkovich & Sheri Worth

Authors
  1. Barbara L. Carlozzi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Carrie Winterowd
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. Steven Harrist
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nancy Thomason
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kristi Bratkovich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Sheri Worth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Barbara L. Carlozzi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Carlozzi, B.L., Winterowd, C., Steven Harrist, R. et al. Spirituality, Anger, and Stress in Early Adolescents. J Relig Health 49, 445–459 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-009-9295-1

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-009-9295-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation