Date

5-20-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)

Chair

Debra M. Perez

Keywords

adult attachment, shame, God attachment, narrative identity awareness, faith, Black/African American women

Disciplines

Christianity | Counseling

Abstract

This quantitative study examines the interconnectedness of adult attachment, shame, God attachment, and narrative identity awareness. Insecure adult attachment has been shown to result in increased shame experiences and has been linked to insecure God attachment. Awareness of narrative identity has been used to improve left-right brain integration and correct problematic narratives that often lead to shame. This research employs Likert scale-style questionnaire data, parallel mediation, and linear regression-based models to assess the connections between study variables. More specifically, it examines whether narrative identity awareness moderates the relationship between adult attachment, shame, and God attachment. Participants included self-identifying Christian adults (18+ years old). Results found that internal shame significantly mediates the relationship between adult attachment and God attachment. However, narrative identity awareness was not found to moderate this same relationship. This study informs future research and equips church and clinical counselors with insight into potentially improving insecure God attachment. The results align with the growing body of research on faith and attachment. They also provide insight into some nuances of faith, attachment, and shame, particularly in Black women, who made up a majority of the study participants.

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