Tenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

This presentation discusses research results on children’s spirituality in trauma, grief and loss from an ecological spiritual framework as common ground. This constructivist grounded theory study with eighteen children, parents, and counsellors illuminated the robust spiritual foundations of children and a socially isolating experience. Spirituality was sparked and children appeared to be catapulted developmentally through traumatic experiences, and spirituality was a source of strength, comfort, and a resource in coping and posttraumatic growth. The two major dialectical meaning constructions, it’s normal and important, and it’s weird and taboo, influenced five complicated and intertwined processes of fighting it out, lacking trust and answers, treading cautiously, staying strong, and at one’s own pace. Children were found to have abundant spiritual experiences, relationships, abilities, activities, and practices. Environmental aspects relating to culture and nature were evident in participants’ narratives, and were important in their spirituality. A strong connection to nature, trees, animals and spiritual entities were shared by participants as part of children’s spirituality. Children relied on their natural and spiritual relationships as part of coping and navigating adverse events. This study addresses a major gap and extends the literature regarding children’s conceptualization of spirituality, spiritual capacities, relationships, activities, practices, and spiritual development. It identifies a need for resolving spiritual struggles and supporting spiritual meaning-making. The findings also identify the need for training and competence in spiritually sensitive practice for counsellors.