PSYCHOSOCIAL PREDICTORS OF PERCEIVED RELIGIOUS GUILT IN PEOPLE WITH ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is not only a medical and psychological issue, but also a deeply moral and spiritual one in religious communities. In many cultures, alcohol intake is considered a religious offense, causing individuals to experience tremendous religious shame in addition to addiction. The present qualitative study looked into the psychosocial factors of reported religious guilt in people with alcohol use disorders. The study sought to determine how personal, societal, cultural, and religious factors influence the development and endurance of religious guilt in people battling with alcohol use disorder. A qualitative research design was employed using semi structured interviews with individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure rich, experience-based data. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns, meanings, and psychosocial influences associated with religious guilt. Findings revealed that perceived religious guilt was shaped by multiple interconnected psychosocial predictors. Key themes included internalized religious beliefs and fear of divine punishment, family expectations, moral pressure, social stigma and community judgment, identity conflict, self-blame, and the ongoing struggle between repentance and relapse. Participants frequently described a cycle in which guilt intensified emotional distress, which in turn reinforced alcohol use as a coping mechanism. Cultural norms and societal expectations further amplified shame, isolation, and identity disruption. The study highlights that religious guilt plays a complex dual role: while it can motivate repentance and recovery efforts, it can also exacerbate psychological distress and perpetuate addiction cycles when accompanied by stigma and lack of support. These findings emphasize the importance of culturally and spiritually sensitive interventions that integrate psychological treatment with religious and social understanding.