Mothers’ gardens in arid soil: A study of religious and spiritual coping among marginalized U.S. mothers with depression

Abstract

This article reports on a qualitative, interview-based study about religious and spiritual coping among economically and racially marginalized U.S. mothers with depression. The study aimed to understand how the women interpreted and made existential meaning out of their experiences. The authors used a combination of grounded theory and narrative analysis to identify and interpret themes. Two key findings emerged: (a) narratives of distress and struggle were thickly intertwined with stories of survival, persistence, and beauty; (b) the women’s words were resonant with knowledge traditions developed in Latina and African American women’s theology. We discuss implications for pastoral caregivers and clinicians.