CHILDHOOD ABUSE AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AMONG WOMEN RELIGIOUS

Childhood abuse is known to have a negative influence on human develop ment. This study expected to find a spiritual attitude of acceptance, as measured by the Ego Grasping Orientation scale, would help mitigate effects of childhood abuse in the realm of spiritual development. Spi ritual Experience Index (SEI) scores for 350 religious women were trea ted as a measure of spiritual maturity. Contrary to expectation, howev er, the sexually and the physically abused groups with a more acceptin g attitude scored lower on the SEI than the abused with a more control ling attitude and the nonabused. Implications for spiritual developmen t and well-being are discussed.