Religion and Spirituality for Diverse Women : Foundations of Strength and Resilience

This collection of essays considers the role of spirituality and religion in the lives of American women from various ethnic backgrounds, showing how faith empowers those in populations often marginalized in the United States. Religion and spirituality are sources of strength and resilience for many women, particularly ethnically diverse women. This thought-provoking text examines this psychological trend, exploring the specific ways in which women from diverse backgrounds have benefited from their faith traditions, the various spiritual pathways they have chosen, and the impact of those choices on their lives. Essays in this informative compilation show how women from African American, Latina, American Indian, Asian American, and Caucasian backgrounds recover from difficulties and traumas with the help of their faith. Contributors consider why women are more likely to endorse religious engagement than men; why ethnically marginalized women tap into spirituality for comfort more than any other population; and why many believers embrace religion as a coping mechanism throughout their lives—from adolescence to older adulthood. The work suggests ways for counselors, leaders, and religious figures to utilize this knowledge to bolster the well-being of those they serve. Introduction : religion and spirituality : foundations of resilience in diverse women's lives -- Thema Bryant-Davis, Anthea Gray, and Cecile Bhang Part I. Native American/American Indian women -- ch. 1. Building resilience through indigenous traditions : American Indian women gain strength through traditional spiritual practices -- Dolores Subia BigFoot and Iva GreyWolf ch. 2. Indigenous women and wisdom : an eternal chain of being -- Wendy women : voices from the circle of life / -- Pamela Jumper Thurman and Barbara A. Plested PartII. Women of African descent -- ch. 4. Toward a positive womanist psychospirituality : strengths, gifts, and the optimal well-being of women of African descent /Shelly Harrell, Ashley E. Coleman, and Tyonna P. Adams -- ch. 5. African American women coping with trauma : the impact of spirtituality and religiosity -- Gimel Rogers ch. 6. Christian religious coping with HIV, cancer, and diabetes : African American women and the church's response -- Monica U. Ellis ch. 7. Religious behaviors and beliefs among Haitian women in the United States -- Guerda Nicolas, Lauren Smith, and Ann aWheatley Part III. Women of Asian and Pacific Islander descent -- ch. 8. Negotiating multiple cultures and identities : Asian American women and Christianity -- Grace Kim ch. 9. Buddhism and Taoism in the lives of Asian American women -- Diane S. Hayashino and Yuying Tsong ch. 10. Transformation through our circle of fire -- Yvonne N. Awana, Susana Ming Lowe, and Ann S. Yabusaki ch. 11. The role of religion and spirituality in Sikh women's lives -- Kiran S.K. Arora and Muninder K. Ahluwalia Part IV. Latinas -- ch. 12. Santa Maria, Madre de Dios : Latinas, religion, and spiritualism -- Enedina Garcia-Vazquez and Merranda Romero Marin ch. 13. La Diosa : Syncretistic folk spirituality among Latinas -- Lillian Comas-Diaz Part V. White women -- ch. 14. Unitarian Universalism and feminist psychology : an intellectual, spiritual, personal, professional journey -- Margaret E. Madden ch. 15. Women, spirituality, and resilience : women saints (1098-1540) and contemporary women -- Lela A. Joscelyn ch. 16. Religion and spirituality : key factors in resilience in Coptic Orthodox women -- Chrstine E. Agaibi ch. 1. Feminism as a source of spiritual strength -- Joan C. Chrisler and Maureen C. McHugh Conclusion : the path forward : the future study of spirituality, religion, and resilience among ethnically diverse women -- Thema Bryant-Davis and Adriana Alejandre. Compares commonalities and differences across cultures Features many different religions including folk practices, Buddhism, Christianity, Sikhism, and Santería Offers a multi-disciplinary perspective through coverage of cultural studies, psychology, and women's issues Includes personal vignettes to demonstrate the power of faith and religion.