Religion and Spirituality for Diverse Women: Foundations of Strength and Resilience: Foundations of Strength and Resilience

by Thema Bryant-Davis, Thema Bryant-Davis (Editor), Asuncion Miteria Austria (Editor), Asuncion Miteria Austria, Debra M. Kawahara (Editor)

Overview

Religion and spirituality are sources of strength and resilience for many women, particularly ethnically diverse women. This thought-provoking text examines this psychological trend, exploring the specific ways in which women from diverse backgrounds have benefited from their faith traditions, the various spiritual pathways they have chosen, and the impact of those choices on their lives.

Essays in this informative compilation show how women from African American, Latina, American Indian, Asian American, and Caucasian backgrounds recover from difficulties and traumas with the help of their faith. Contributors consider why women are more likely to endorse religious engagement than men; why ethnically marginalized women tap into spirituality for comfort more than any other population; and why many believers embrace religion as a coping mechanism throughout their lives—from adolescence to older adulthood. The work suggests ways for counselors, leaders, and religious figures to utilize this knowledge to bolster the well-being of those they serve.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440833304
Publisher:	ABC-CLIO, Incorporated
Publication date:	09/30/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	327
File size:	886 KB

About the Author

Thema Bryant-Davis, PhD, is associate professor of psychology at Pepperdine University.

Asuncion Miteria Austria, PhD, coedited Praeger's A Handbook for Women Mentors: Transcending Barriers of Stereotype, Race, and Ethnicity.

Debra M. Kawahara, PhD, is associate professor at Alliant University.

Diane J. Willis, PhD, is professor emeritus at University of Oklahoma.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Religion and Spirituality: Foundations of Resilience in Diverse Women's Lives Thema Bryant-Davis Anthea Gray Cecile Bhang ix

Part I Native American/American Indian Women

1 Building Resilience through Indigenous Traditions: American Indian Women Gain Strength through Traditional Spiritual Practices Dolores Subia BigFoot Iva GreyWolf 3

2 Indigenous Women and Wisdom: An Eternal Chain of Being Wendy M. K. Peters Jacqueline S. Gray 19

3 Native Women: Voices from the Circle of Life Pamela Jumper Thurman Barbara A. Plested 37

Part II Women of African Descent

4 Toward a Positive Womanist Psychospirituality: Strengths, Gifts, and the Optimal Weil-Being of Women of African Descent Shelly Harrell Ashley E. Coleman Tyonna P. Adams 49

5 African American Women Coping with Trauma: The Impact of Spirituality and Religiosity Gimel Rogers 71

6 Christian Religious Coping with HIV, Cancer, and Diabetes: African American Women and the Church's Response Monica U. Ellis 83

7 Religious Behaviors and Beliefs among Haitian Women in the United States Guerda Nicolas Lauren Smith Anna Wheatley 101

Part III Women of Asian and Pacific Islander Descent

8 Negotiating Multiple Cultures and Identities: Asian American Women and Christianity Grace Kim 119

9 Buddhism and Taoism in the Lives of Asian American Women Diane S. Hayashino Yuying Tsong 139

10 Transformation through our Circle of Fire Yvonne N. Awana Susana Ming Lowe Ann S. Yabusald 159

11 The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Sikh Women's Lives Kiran S. K. Arora Muninder K. Ahluwalia 181

Part IV Latinas

12 Santa María, Madre de Dios: Latinas, Religion, and Spiritualism Enedina García-Vázquez Merranda Romero Marín 199

13 La Diosa: Syncretistic Folk Spirituality among Latinas Lillian Comas-Diaz 215

Part V White Women

14 Unitarian Universalism and Feminist Psychology: An Intellectual, Spiritual, Personal, Professional Journey Margaret E. Madden 235

15 Women, Spirituality, and Resilience: Women Saints (1098-1540) and Contemporary Women Lela A. Joscelyn 253

16 Religion and Spirituality: Key Factors in Resilience in Coptic Orthodox Women Christine E. Agaibi 267

17 Feminism as a Source of Spiritual Strength Joan C. Chrisler Maureen C. McHugh 281

Conclusion: The Path Forward: The Future Study of Spirituality, Religion, and Resilience among Ethnically Diverse Women Thema Bryant-Davis Adriana Alejandre 299

Index 307

About the Editors and Contributors 313