Bidden als vorm van religieuze coping bij moslima’s van Marokkaanse afkomst

Abstract

This article addresses the research question: “How do Islamic women of Moroccan descent use prayer in dealing with problems?” The theoretical framework was mainly based on the work of Pargament, Koenig & Perez, regarding religious coping.1 The empirical part of the  study consists of a quantitative and a qualitative part. This article presents the results of the quantitative part. For the quantitative part of our research 177 questionnaires were collected by use of snowball sampling. We questioned their praying practices and their ways of religious coping using the Brief RCOPE. The connection and communication with a loving, caring, benevolent God through prayer, is the main religious way these Islamic women of Moroccan descent cope with their problems. This use of prayer as a way of coping can be clarified by the psychological functions of religiosity and prayer that are suggested by Pargament et al.2 Prayer can help: (1) finding meaning, (2) being master over their circumstances and controlling their emotions, (3) finding comfort and closeness to God, (4) experiencing intimacy with others and closeness to God and (5) transforming their way of life. We did not find any negative religious coping strategies such as negative feelings towards God or alienation. This is in line with research results of Abu Raiya & Pargament.3 As Islam implies surrender to God, it is difficult for Muslims to admit their religious distress, doubts and struggles.