Original Research

A psychological perspective on god-belief as a source of well-being and meaning

E. Karen van der Merwe, Chrizanne van Eeden, Hans J.M. van Deventer
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 66, No 1 | a332 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v66i1.332 | © 2010 E. Karen van der Merwe, Chrizanne van Eeden, Hans J.M. van Deventer | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 12 August 2009 | Published: 18 June 2010

About the author(s)

E. Karen van der Merwe, Nort-West University, South Africa
Chrizanne van Eeden, Nort-West university, South Africa
Hans J.M. van Deventer, North-West University, South Africa

Abstract

This article reports on a qualitative exploration of the well-being and meaning that second- and third-generation Christians from an African context experience because of their integration of religion in their life and being. A textured, integrated tapestry is created of the participants’ understanding of God (God-concept), experience of their relationship with God (God-image) and understanding of life as coloured by their belief systems. The contribution of their God-belief to their sense of meaning and psychological well-being frames the tapestry of this article.

Keywords

God-image; God-concept; African religion; Christian religion; meaning; psychological well-being

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