„Szépen könyörgök, segíts rajtam…”. A kérő ima egészségpszichológiai elemzése

Abstract

Background and Aims: It is observed in many cultures that in boundary situations, such as during illness, petitionary prayer can be a part of coping strategies. In the state of loss of control that accompanies illness, it can provide an experience of agency, as the believer gains the opportunity to influence their own condition through petitionary prayer. In our study, we present the history of the psychological reception and classification of petitionary prayers. We describe our own factor-analytical study (N = 454) regarding the motivational basis of petitionary prayer, the main finding of which is that it can be linked to multiple bases depending on the meaning it holds for the individual. In our investigation, four factors were identified, namely Self-recognition in God, Expectation, Community, and Relationship with God. In the case of the more mystical Self-recognition in God factor, the motive of true, deep needs emerged, while in Relationship with God, it was the presentation of the request to God; furthermore, with a low factor loading, it was also linked to Expectation, where the motive of request fulfillment was observed. Furthermore, we highlight how Pargament’s (1997) typology distinguishing religious coping styles can be linked to different types of petitionary prayer, and we also examine the issue from the perspective of attachment theory in religiosity. Finally, we address the question of when petitionary prayer may be adaptive or maladaptive, carrying significant implications for counseling and therapy.