Spiritual Attachment and Dieting: The Impact of a Spiritual Relationship

Family counselors often use relational attachment principles in their work with clients. These attachment principles can also be applied to clients’ faith beliefs, in terms of secure or insecure spiritual attachment styles. More research is needed on the ways in which spiritual attachment intersects with mental health issues, such as problematic dieting behaviors. In the present study, we examined the association between spiritual attachment styles and dieting behaviors among college student participants. We found that an anxious spiritual attachment, which tapped into participant uncertainty and doubt about God or a Higher Power's care, was associated with increased dieting. We discuss the implications of these findings related to how an individual's beliefs about their relationship with God or a Higher Power may be salient to their dieting behaviors. Family counselors can address issues of spiritual attachment in their work with clients.