Exploring God attachment and cultural dynamics: early attachment experiences, God perception, and spiritual compensation among Chinese Christians

This study explores how early attachment experiences and cultural values shape God attachment and perceptions among Chinese Christians. Drawing on Attachment Theory, the Compensation Hypothesis, and the Correspondence Hypothesis, thematic analysis was conducted on interviews with 11 participants. The analysis revealed a predominant narrative of spiritual compensation, wherein individuals with insecure attachments to authoritarian caregivers found a secure haven in God. However, the study also identified significant divergent pathways, including a clear correspondence model rooted in secure attachment, challenging a monolithic interpretation of spiritual development in this context. Furthermore, the findings illuminate several mechanisms – such as corrective community experiences and social learning – that catalyzed the transformation of participants’ God-images from a distant, authoritarian figure to a nurturing, loving presence. Findings highlight the intersection of filial piety, collectivism, and attachment patterns, expanding Attachment Theory into non-Western contexts. Implications for counselling, pastoral care, and cross-cultural psychology are discussed.