Date
2-7-2025
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Natalie Hamrick
Keywords
demonic influence, child sex abuse, mental health disorders, spiritual warfare, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, depression, bipolar
Disciplines
Psychology | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
Recommended Citation
Sanchez, Sheriese S., "Child Sexual Abuse and Mental Health: The Role of Intrusive Thoughts and Spiritual Warfare" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6477.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6477
Abstract
A number of psychological issues are experienced by individuals who have experienced CSA, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, as well as intrusive thoughts contribute to the perpetuation of the mental health problem. Studies have shown that spiritual practices, such as prayer, meditation, reading the Bible, and reciting scripture affirmations, can improve mental health, improving one’s psychological well-being. Further, intrusive thoughts may be initiated by dark spiritual influences. Despite ongoing research, there is a lack of integration between disciplines of science and biblical truth concerning the impact of immaterial spiritual dimensions on psychological states. To understand intrusive thoughts, one must also explore the point of origination. I conducted eight semi-structured interviews with individuals from a large Christian university who were at least 21 years of age, experienced sexual abuse as a child, identified as a Christian and were not taking any psychotropic or mood-altering medications. Most participants perceived the origins of intrusive thoughts to have been internal (personal trauma response), but some did report them as being external (demonically influenced). This study confirms that spiritual practices such as prayer and meditating on scripture and worshiping promoted healing and emotional stability. A small portion of participants used alternative spiritual practices for healing or protection and reported that cultural influences and lacking a biblical foundation about God facilitated their use. The four prominent spiritual struggles uncovered were divine, demonic, moral struggles and struggles of ultimate meaning. Every participant experienced a spiritual struggle, which suggests this is an important concept to address to bring healing and personal growth. Overall, the Divine Struggles appear to have facilitated the participants to feel a stronger sense of connection to God overtime, had stronger belief in His love for them. The findings align with past research and theory related to CSA and Traumagenic Dynamic Model.
