Spiritual Development in Adulthood and Later Life from the Perspective of Psychology and Religious Studies

Abstract

Spiritual development occurs in two significant phases in human life, namely adulthood and later life. The interdisciplinary approach used to examine this combines the perspectives of psychology and religious studies to understand the complex dynamics involved in an individual’s religious journey. Spiritual development is a highly personal and variable phenomenon, influenced by various factors such as personal experiences, culture, and environmental changes. The reference sources reviewed and analyzed by the author were obtained from various sources, including reference books and research published in journals. The assessment is limited to the integration of the perspectives of psychology and religious studies in a comprehensive analysis of spiritual development in two phases of life, namely adulthood and later life. The integration of psychology and religious studies perspectives holds significant importance in understanding spiritual development. The results of the research conducted by Yuhaniah (2022) indicate that the relationship between the spiritual dimension and religion in the context of the relationship between religious belief and psychological well-being is based on how an individual adopts an attitude of surrender to a divine entity with extraordinary power. This attitude of surrender and devotion can result in a positive and optimistic outlook in individuals, subsequently fostering positive feelings towards God.