Echoes of Perceived Childhood Experiences: Exploring the Relationship between Parental Acceptance-Rejection and Later Relationship with God

The connection between early childhood experiences and individuals’ later relationship with God has been widely studied in Western contexts, but remains under-explored in non-Western, Muslim-majority settings. This study investigated this association in a sample of 180 Muslim Egyptian adults. Participants completed the Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ) and the Attachment to God Inventory (AGI). Results revealed a significant positive correlation between perceived parental rejection and anxious attachment to God. Additionally, higher self-rated religiosity was negatively associated with perceived maternal rejection. These findings underscore the developmental significance of early caregiver acceptance in fostering a secure and trusting relationship with the Divine. Implications for developmental as well as clinical practice in Muslim contexts are discussed.