Anxiety, depressive, and trauma symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evaluating the role of disappointment with God

•In the context of COVID-19, community residents in a southern region of the US reported notable mental health difficulties, which were significantly related to aspects of religious/spirituality.•Greater anxiety, depressive, and trauma symptoms were related to disappointment at God's distance during the pandemic.•Fewer mental health symptoms were associated with a positive relationship with God.•Disappointment at God's distance may be an important aspect of adjustment to a communal health crisis.