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Other literature type . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Other literature type . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Other literature type . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Childhood Adversity, Adult Religious Conversion, and Inflammation: A Biopsychospiritual Model of Post-Trauma Adaptation

Authors: Pokorny, Laszlo;

Childhood Adversity, Adult Religious Conversion, and Inflammation: A Biopsychospiritual Model of Post-Trauma Adaptation

Abstract

Childhood adversity is associated with lifelong health problems, with chronic inflammation identified as a key mechanism of biological embedding. Religion and spirituality (R/S) may buffer the adverse effects of early trauma, particularly among adult religious converts who may demonstrate heightened engagement ("zeal of the convert" phenomenon). However, limited research has examined R/S moderation using objective biological outcomes or investigated differential effects by conversion status. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adult inflammation, testing whether R/S engagement moderates this relationship and whether moderation effects differ by religious conversion status. Secondary data analysis utilized the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) 2 Biomarker Project (N = 374 midlife adults). Measures included ACEs (7-item retrospective report), inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha), R/S engagement (religious service attendance, Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale), and religious conversion (childhood-to-adult affiliation change). Hierarchical regression and moderation analyses controlled for demographic, health, and lifestyle factors. Contrary to hypotheses, no significant main effects of ACEs on inflammation emerged, and R/S engagement did not significantly moderate the ACE-inflammation relationship. A marginal trend was observed for TNF-α (p = .08). Null findings suggest substantial complexity in ACE-inflammation pathways and highlight methodological challenges including cross-sectional design, missing data, survivor bias, and R/S measurement limitations. Future research requires longitudinal designs, comprehensive R/S assessment, and refined biopsychospiritual models. Despite null results, this study provides a rigorous test of theoretical predictions using objective biomarkers and offers important guidance for advancing biopsychospiritual science. Keywords: childhood adversity, inflammation, religious conversion, spirituality, post-traumatic growth

Keywords

Inflammation, Religion and Psychology, Multiple Trauma, Religion and Medicine, Historical Trauma, Psychological Trauma/therapy, Psychological Trauma, Psychological Trauma/rehabilitation, CHILDHOOD TRAUMA, Inflammation/psychology, Religion, Spiritualism/psychology, Religion and Science, Sexual Trauma, Religious Personnel/psychology, Historical Trauma/genetics, Spirituality, Religious Philosophies/psychology

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green