Abstract:
The purpose of this research study was to determine a correlation between an adolescent’s spirituality and his ability to cope or abstain from peer victimization. Spirituality is a common phenomenon among adolescents, in which limited research has been carried out. The data from this study will add to the field by establishing the importance of creating opportunities for adolescents to exercise their innate spirituality. This study consisted of 40 adolescents that attended a Christian Youth Ministry that ranged from 11-17 years old. Of the 40 adolescents, 24 (60%) were girls, 21 (52%) were Black/African American, and 22 (55%) were high school students. The research design comprised of a mixed methods approach, which included a sequential quantitative and qualitative phase of data collection. The quantitative data included a modified version of the widely-used survey, the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness and Spirituality (BMMRS) by the Fetzer Institute on Aging Working Group and a modified survey of bullying experiences, the Swearer Bullying Survey. The survey and interview data facilitated an understanding of an adolescent’s spiritual beliefs and how his spiritual practices and experiences supported behaviors that may help him deal with peer victimization. Through the survey and interviews, participants shared experiences
of peer victimization, along with characteristics of spirituality. The findings revealed the six
themes of the global perspective of spirituality, utilizing a spiritual foundation to deal with
bullying victimization, influences of family support on the spiritual development, bullying
victimization experience, spiritual or religious practices, and experiences, and the implications of peer victimization. The research findings gave greater insight into the phenomena of spirituality among adolescents and the ability to deal with peer victimization through spiritual practices and experiences. This study contends that adolescents that possess a spiritual foundation tend to have more resiliencies during life's challenging situations.
