Attachment and Spiritual Maturity 40
relationship with God. Mature spirituality then is reflected in three capacities. The first capacity is to know, love, and depend in confidence on God. Second, is the ability to love
others which is reflected in intimate relationships and service to others. Third, is the
ability to integrate one's faith in God with their whole life reflected in moral choices and
life-affirming values. Vertical Spiritual Maturity measures relationship with God and
Horizontal Spiritual Maturity measures relationship and service to others. For this
study, Total Spiritual Maturity will be measured as well as Vertical and Horizontal Spiritual Maturity.
Independent Variables
Perceived Secure Childhood Attachment
This variable represents the amount of secure attachment that is perceived when
recalling childhood relationships with parents. A child is securely attached to parents
when three different behaviors are seen. First, they are unafraid in the presence of the
parent. Second, they are interested in exploring and mastering their environment. And
third, they desire to establish contact with others. Therefore, not only does a parent need
to be a safe haven of protection for their child, but also a secure base from which a child
can gain strength to move out toward others and the environment.
Secure Adult Attachment
For this study, the most fundamental and clear distinction is between secure and
insecure adult attachment. People with a secure attachment style have high self-esteem
and are confident about their relationships with other people. They are also comfortable
with closeness and see relationships as important, without obsessing about them.
Control Variables
Becoming spiritually mature is a complex process. There are a number of
variables involved in a person becoming mature spiritually. This study is looking
specifically at the relationship between secure adult attachment and spiritual maturity.
Therefore the possible effects of age, the number of years a Christian, religiosity of
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