Abstract
Emerging adulthood is a critical developmental stage in one's life, which is often categorized by increased exposure to stress, unresolved trauma, and the search for meaning and purpose in life. For African American emerging adults, spirituality has served as a deeply rooted cultural and psychological backbone. This qualitative research study explores the meaning of spirituality and in the context of resilience and healing for African American emerging adults who have experienced stress or trauma. Guided by a constructivist paradigm, this research captures the lived experiences of 7 participants through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. Validation strategies such as peer review and rich thick descriptions in addition to audit trails ensure data trustworthiness. Findings revealed three themes: (1) Experiencing a Connection: Spirituality as an Omnipresent and Guiding Force, (2) The Inner Evolution: Spirituality as a Catalyst for Growth, and (3) Transformation Through Adversity: Epiphanies of Faith Emerging. The essence of the phenomenon, as described by participants, centers spirituality as an internal power that transcends the senses and serves as a compass through life's difficulties. Limitations include a small sample size and varying levels of participants' understanding of spirituality versus religion. Future research should further investigate this distinction and explore culturally adapted therapeutic practices that meaningfully incorporate spirituality into healing frameworks for African American populations.
Keywords: Spirituality, resilience, trauma, emerging adulthood, faith, stress