Date

3-10-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Joyce Brady

Keywords

addiction, adolescence, biblical, substance use, trauma, holistic treatment

Disciplines

Counseling | Psychology

Abstract

Adolescent addiction is increasingly problematic in the United States, including substance use and other addictive behaviors that carry a risk of continued adult addiction if not resolved effectively. Current treatment models are primarily limited to meeting the mental, emotional, and physical needs, but have gaps in treating areas such as spirituality and healthy parental relationships. From a biblical standpoint, Christian principles are relevant to all areas of need in the addicted individual, and considering a holistic biblical approach to address all areas of life could fill the gaps left by conventional addiction interventions. To understand the possible implications of a holistic approach based on biblical principles, this research study used an exploratory cross-sectional correlational method. The sample size was 115 adult participants (male and female) aged 25 and older who self-identified their demographics, past and present addiction status, and reported other holistic elements. Logistic regression and correlation coefficient were the statistical measures used to understand the relationship between the variables of substance abuse, parental bonding, daily spiritual experiences, and self-regulation. Parental bonding showed the greatest level of significance as it relates to addiction status and adult self-regulation. This implies that addressing the attachment breach by a primary caregiver could be beneficial for positive treatment outcomes. A recommendation for future research is to evaluate the effectiveness of a fully developed, holistic biblical model focused on using biblical principles to offer secure attachment for participants.

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