Daily Spiritual Experiences Research Articles

The mediating effect of forgiveness on the relationship between spirituality and psychological well-being in adults with history of childhood bullying

The long-term effects of childhood bullying on psychological well-being in adulthood have recently gained attention in research. This study examines the complex dynamics of the phenomenon by investigating the role of forgiveness as a mediator in the relationship between spirituality and psychological well-being among individuals who experienced bullying during their childhood. A purposive sample of 202 participants aged 19-40, who were bullied between the ages of 6-18, were recruited. The measurements used in the study included the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale (⍺ = .77) to measure psychological well-being; the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (⍺ = .82) to measure forgiveness; the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (⍺ = .94) to measure the spirituality of the participants; and the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (⍺ = .71) as a screening tool to confirm participants' experiences of bullying. Through mediation regression analysis with 5000 bootstrap samples using Macro PROCESS by Hayes, forgiveness emerged as a significant full mediator (β = .318, p .05, 95% CI: .212, .438). The study provides evidence that forgiveness enhances psychological well-being, suggesting that implementing a forgiveness program could reduce the long-term effect of childhood bullying.

Development and Validation of the Transcendent Beliefs Scale (TBS): A 12-Item Assessment of Self-Transcendent States

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the Transcendent Beliefs Scale (TBS). We defined transcendent experiences as an experience of unity with others and the whole of existence, which is associated with behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and transcendental factors. Our aim was to develop a very brief instrument that accurately reflected the phenomenology of transcendent states. Keywords: trauma, chronic pain, dissociation, EFT, EMDR, mindful breathing, bilateral stimulation, BLS, WHEE, HeartMath, blended, combined, interventions Method: The factor structure, validity, and reliability of the TBS were assessed across a sample of university students and energy therapy practitioners (N = 305). Results: With respect to convergent validity, we found that transcendent experiences were positively correlated with daily spiritual experiences, trait hope, and meaning in life. Discriminant validity was demonstrated through a negative weak relationship to narcissistic personality traits. Exploratory factor analysis reduced the scale to 12 items and a two-factor model was found to fit the data. Conclusion: The results indicate that the TBS is a valid and reliable scale to measure transcendent beliefs in the general population. It is suitable for research projects in which a brief measure of transcendence is required. Keywords: transcendent beliefs, transcendent experiences, universal oneness, scale validation, unity consciousness, existence, transcendental phenomenology.

The 12-Step Pathway to Spiritual Growth and Gratitude and Its Relationship With Well-Being Among the Members of Sexaholics Anonymous in Poland.

Despite the well-established role of mutual-aid groups in addiction treatment, no research has yet explored the role of the 12-step pathway in spiritual growth and gratitude, or its direct and indirect relationships with well-being among individuals with compulsive sexual behavior disorders (CSBD). The purpose of the current study was to examine the number of 12 steps completed as an antecedent of spiritual growth and gratitude and its relationship with well-being among members of Sexaholics Anonymous (SA). The sample consisted of 80 individuals (72 men and 8 women) attending SA meetings in Poland. The study variables were measured using the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale, Gratitude Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and a single question regarding the number of 12 steps completed. A path analysis showed that the number of 12 steps completed was negatively and directly related to negative affect. Moreover, the number of 12 steps completed was related to higher spiritual growth, which was directly related to higher levels of life satisfaction and lower levels of negative affect, and indirectly, through gratitude, to higher levels of life satisfaction and positive affect. The results suggest that spiritual growth, rooted in the 12-step program, and its ability to increase gratitude, may promote recovery from CSBD.

Psychometric Analysis of a Measure of Spiritual Experiences in Peruvian Adults

Research on spirituality has increased considerably in the last decade. This study analyzes the psychometric properties of the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES) in a Peruvian sample. The study had a cross-sectional design. The population was Peruvian adults with ages ranging between 18 and 70 years ( M = 30.60, SD = 11.22) recruited through nonprobabilistic sampling. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha (α), McDonalds’ omega (ω), and H-coefficient ( H). The structure of 16 items was not confirmed. A 13-item DSES unidimensional model was suggested (χ2 = 184.78, df = 65; confirmatory fit index [CFI] = 0.92, Tucker–Lewis index [TLI] = 0.91, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.08, standardized root mean square residuals [SRMR] = 0.04) and the DSES-6 model (χ2 = 9.570, df = 9; CFI = 1.00, TLI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.02, SRMR = 0.02) and its reliability had excellent values. Concurrent validity with measures of anxiety and depression were evidenced. The DSES-13 and DSES-6 versions are valid and reliable instruments to evaluate spiritual experiences in the Peruvian context.

Religion/Spirituality and Prevalent Hypertension among Ethnic Cohorts in the Study on Stress, Spirituality, and Health.

Hypertension is a significant public health issue, particularly for Blacks, Hispanics/Latinos, and South Asians who are at greater risk than whites. Religion and spirituality (R/S) have been shown to be protective, but this has been identified primarily in whites with limited R/S measures examined (i.e., religious service attendance). To assess hypertension prevalence (HP) in four racial/ethnic groups while incorporating an array of R/S variables, including individual prayer, group prayer, nontheistic daily spiritual experiences, yoga, gratitude, positive religious coping, and negative religious coping. Data were drawn from the Study on Stress, Spirituality, and Health, a consortium of ethnically diverse U.S. cohorts. The sample included 994 Black women, 838 Hispanic/Latino men and women, 879 South Asian men and women, and 3681 white women. Using a cross-sectional design, prevalence ratios for R/S and hypertension were reported for each cohort, in addition to pooled analyses. Given differences in R/S among men and women, all models were stratified by gender. Different patterns of associations were found between women and men. Among women: 1) religious attendance was associated with lower HP among Black and white women; 2) gratitude was linked to lower HP among Hispanic/Latino, South Asian, and white women; 3) individual prayer was associated with higher HP among Hispanic/Latino and white women; 4) yoga was associated with higher HP among South Asian women, and 5) negative religious coping was linked to higher HP among Black women. Among men: significant results were only found among Hispanic/Latino men. Religious attendance and individual prayer were associated with higher HP, while group prayer and negative religious coping were associated with lower HP. Religion/spirituality is a multifaceted construct that manifests differently by race/ethnicity and gender. Medical practitioners should avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to this topic when evaluating prevalent hypertension in diverse communities.

The Relationship Between Anxiety, Stress, Purpose in Life, and Spirituality During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aimed to identify the relationship between anxiety, stress, purpose in life and spirituality during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-section study involved 384 respondents above 18 years old, who lived in the Gunung Kidul area, and could speak Bahasa Indonesia. They were selected using the purposive sampling method. The assessment included the Anxiety and Stress Scale, The Purpose of Life, and the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale questionnaire. Anxiety was significantly negatively correlated with spirituality, while stress was significantly negatively correlated with spirituality and meaning in life was significantly positively correlated with spirituality. Respondents who had lower anxiety and stress levels during the pandemic tended to have a high spiritual level, or, during the pandemic, their spiritual activities were higher. Likewise, on the meaning in life, respondents who had a high level of purpose in life also tended to have a high spirituality level.
 Keywords: Anxiety, Stress, Meaning in Life, Spirituality, COVID–19

Exploring Family Strength: Vulnerability Factors and the Role of Spirituality in Family Resilience During COVID-19 Pandemic

This research explores the relationship between family vulnerability, spirituality, and resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic. With a quantitative approach and cross-sectional study design, samples were taken randomly using a random sampling method, involving 189 husbands/wives willing to participate. Data collection was carried out through interviews (both online and offline) using a modified questionnaire based on the Sunarti (2021) scale to measure family resilience and family vulnerability, as well as Underwood's (2003) DSES (Daily Spiritual Experience Scale) scale to measure spirituality. The research results show that there is a significant negative relationship between family vulnerability and family resilience, while spirituality has a significant positive correlation with family resilience. In addition, family vulnerability and spirituality together contributed 17.2% to the variation in family resilience. These findings contribute to understanding family resilience in the COVID-19 era and indicate the need for further discussion in future research.Keywords: Family resiliency, family vulnerability, spirituality, COVID-19

Breast Cancer Worry in U.S. Female First-degree Relatives: Moderating Role of Daily Spiritual Experiences.

Female first degree relatives of breast cancer patients experience worry because of their own increased breast cancer risk. The aim in the present study was to examine the role of daily spiritual experiences as a potential protective factor against breast cancer worry. We hypothesized that daily spiritual experiences would moderate the relationship between relatives' stage of disease and breast cancer worry. Sixty-three mothers, daughters or sisters of breast cancer survivors completed surveys assessing relative's disease characteristics and their own demographics, fear of breast cancer, and daily spiritual experiences. All participants were living in the midwestern United States. Results showed that daily spiritual experiences moderated the relationship between stage of disease and breast cancer worry. Low scores on daily spiritual experiences were associated with more worry when relatives had advanced disease, and high scores on daily spiritual experiences was associated with less worry when relatives had advanced disease. Findings suggest the need to focus on this population when providing support services to families of patients.

The Relationship Between Social Support and Family Functioning Among Married Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Iran with the Mediating Role of Spiritual Experiences and Moral Foundations.

When a married family member suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS), the collective physical and psychosocial well-being of the family is impacted and much of the burden is on the healthier spouse. The purpose of the present study was to determine the contribution of psychosocial support from spouses, friends, and others in overall family functioning in respect of Iranian patients with MS, considering the mediating role of spiritual experiences and moral foundations. Spouses of patients with MS were chosen through the judgmental sampling method. The research instruments comprised the Family Assessment Device, Social Support Appraisals Scale, Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, and Moral Foundations Questionnaire. Data analysis was done through the path analysis technique. The subjects comprised 220 spouses of MS patients. We found a significant relationship between family support path and overall functioning mediated by the variable 'spiritual experiences', the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) value being < 0.001. Similarly, the relationship between spiritual experiences and moral foundations had a significant effect on overall family functioning (RMSEA < 0.001). After eliminating insignificant relationships and estimating fit indicators, the modified (adjusted) model indicated goodness of fit with data. This study found, for the first time in the Iranian community, a significant effect of family support focused on spouses of MS patients compared to the support from friends and others, with regard to family functioning. The mediating roles of spiritual experiences and moral foundations were confirmed. Further studies are suggested to delve into the role of family support for MS patients in developing countries.

Bond with God as a Moderator of the Relationship between Prayer and Stress of Chilean Students

Prayer is a spiritual coping method that can be effective both in extraordinary, life-threatening circumstances and in ordinary, stressful situations. To be beneficial, it requires a bond with God or the divine based on trust and faith. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediated moderation model in which spiritual experiences moderate the link between prayer and stress, which in turn, is negatively related to the subjective well-being of Chilean students. The study’s participants were 177 students from Chile. The following tools were used: Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale, two measures regarding the quality of life and negative feelings from the World Health Organization Quality of Life—BREF, one tool verifying stress from the National Health Interview Survey and one-item scale in reference to frequency of praying. This study confirmed the mechanism underpinning the relationship between prayer and subjective well-being, as well as the benefits of a bond with God and the harmful role of stress in this relationship. When students more frequently felt God’s love and direction, prayer was negatively related to stress, which in turn, negatively predicted subjective well-being. For students with a poor bond with God and fewer spiritual experiences, prayer was positively linked with stress. This study confirms the benefits of a close, trusting bond with God or the divine and the detrimental effects of lacking a positive connection with God on students’ stress when students used prayer as a coping method. The practical implications of this study are also presented.

Hubungan Kontrol Diri dan Spiritualitas dengan Kenakalan Remaja di Kota Padang

The number of juvenile delinquency continues to increase, it can be seen from the high number of brawls, drugs and illegal racing carried out by teenagers. Some of the influencing factors are self-control and spirituality. This study aims to determine whether there is a relationship between self-control and spirituality with juvenile delinquency. The research design used a cross sectional study method with a sample of 175 teenagers at Di Kota Padang, using a stratified random sampling technique. This research was conducted in January - July 2022. The measuring instruments used were self-control questionnaires, DSES (Daily Spiritual Experience Scale) and juvenile delinquency. Data processing was carried out using the chi-square method. The results of this study indicate that most (54.9%) of respondents have a good spirituality level and most (65.7%) of respondents have less self-control and most (58.3%) of respondents commit juvenile delinquency, there is a significant relationship between self-control and juvenile delinquency (p-value = 0,037) and a significant relationship between spirituality and juvenile delinquency (p-value = 0,022). The results of this study expect the school to hold extracurricular activities that generate interest for teenagers both in the field of sports and religion which is balanced by completing adequate facilities and infrastructure so that teenagers avoid the bad effects of juvenile delinquency.

The Correlation of Spirituality and Implementation of Spiritual Care Among Nursing Student in Jakarta

Nurses play a role in providing nursing care which include spiritual care. Spiritual care can provide inner peace and bring new hope for patients who need it. Nursing students are the initiators who will later become nurses. This study aimed to identify the correlation between spirituality and implementation of spiritual care among nursing students in program profession.This study used a cross sectional design with a purposive sampling technique. The sample in this study involved 208 nursing student in profession programmed from 3 university in Jakarta. The instruments used in this study were the daily spiritual experience scale (DSES) and the nursing spiritual care therapeutics scale (NSCTS). The statistic analysis used pooled sample T test and Chi-square test. The number of respondents aged &lt; 40 years was 175 (84.1%) students, not yet working 109 (52.4%) students, , Muslim 183 (88%) students, female 173 (83.2%) students, undergraduate programmed who from high school were 109 (52.4%), have never attended spiritual care training 180 (86,5%). There was a significant relationship between the number of stage in profession programmed and spirituality with the application of spiritual care (p&lt;0.05).The results of the study show that the nursing student have good spirituality, but are still not good at implementing spiritual care. The recommendation of this research added material about spiritual care in their curriculum.&#x0D; Keywords: spirituality, spiritual care, nursing student

The Relationship of Spirituality with Coping Mechanism in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Sukabumi Regency, Indonesia

Aim: Apart from the obvious health consequences, diabetes mellitus leads in unfavorable psychological responses that can lead to emotional problems. Individual coping techniques for lowering stress and making treatment decisions in which spirituality plays a significant role. The study aimed was to determine the relationship between spirituality and the coping mechanisms of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Methods: This is correlational study with cross-sectional approach. Total sampling was used to collect data from 54 people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The spirituality instrument uses the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES) and the coping mechanism uses The Brief Cope. Statistical analysis using chi-square. Results: The results showed that most respondents had moderate spirituality (59,3%) and adaptive coping mechanisms (55.6%). The chi-square test results obtained a P-value of 0.008, so there is a relationship between spirituality and coping mechanisms in type 2 DM patients. Conclusion: The results showed that most of the respondents had moderate spirituality and adaptive coping mechanisms. Spirituality and adaptive coping skills are predicted to be enhanced by nurses, particularly in populations at risk for chronic disease.

A positive correlation between daily spiritual practice and reduced depressive symptoms among older adults: evidence from a nationally representative survey among the Indian population

This study explored the factors associated with daily spiritual experiences of older adults and the association of daily spiritual experiences with major depressive disorder among older Indian adults. Data for this study were derived from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) wave-1. The sample size was 31 464 older adults age 60 years and above. Daily spiritual experience was assessed from four items (Cronbach's alpha: 0.89) adapted from the daily spiritual experience scale (DSES). Major depressive disorder was calculated using the Short Form Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-SF). Descriptive, bivariate and multivariable forward stepwise logistic regression analyses were conducted to fulfil the objectives of the study. A proportion of 87.46% of older adults reported daily spiritual experiences in the study. Women had higher odds of spiritual experiences than men (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.243; confidence interval (CI): 1.041-1.484). Older adults with higher education, those who were retired, those who reported community involvement or were physically active or belonged to the richest wealth quintile had higher odds of having daily spiritual experiences in comparison to older adults from the poorest wealth quintile. Further, older adults with daily spiritual experiences had significantly lower odds of major depressive disorder (aOR: 0.810; CI: 0.681-0.964) than older adults who did not report daily spiritual experiences. The study suggests that daily spiritual practices can be a strategy to reduce major depressive symptoms and improve mental health and wellbeing of older adults, and future studies are warranted on this direction.

The Relationship between Daily Spiritual Experiences and the Dimensions of Spiritual Care Competence in Nursing Students: The Dimension of Professionalization and Improvement of the Quality of Spiritual Care.

Daily spiritual experiences and spiritual care competence have positive health effects on patients and form an integral part of the nursing profession. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between daily spiritual experiences and the dimensions of spiritual care competence in nursing students. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 401 nursing students in their last year of the program. The participants were selected from nursing schools in Tehran Province, Iran, in the academic year 2019-2020. The required data were extracted using a demographic information questionnaire, the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES), and the Spiritual Care Competence Scale (SCCS). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software at the significance level of 0.05. The mean (SD) of daily spiritual experiences and total spiritual care competence was 67.15 (16.33) and 101.77 (16.26), respectively. The personal support and patient counseling dimensions had the highest mean (SD) [22.10) 4.80)]. Among all these dimensions of spiritual care competence, only professionalization and improvement of the quality of spiritual care were predictors of the students' daily spiritual experiences (p < 0.05). The professionalization dimension of spiritual care competence was identified as a predictor of daily spiritual experience in nursing students. Therefore, the researchers recommend the highlighting of this dimension in nursing programs to promote the students' spiritual care competence.

Psychosocial correlates of recovery capital in alcohol and opioid-dependent patients: A cross-sectional comparative study

Introduction: All the resources that catalyze this recovery are known as recovery capital. This study aims at finding out the correlates which help increase the recovery capital of an individual and the extent to which it can affect them. Methodology: Along with sociodemographic and clinical variables, we assessed recovery capital (Assessment of Recovery Capital [ARC] Scale), religiosity (Duke University Religion Index), spirituality (Daily Spiritual Experience Scale), Coping (Coping Strategies Inventory-short form), social support (Social Support Questionnaire), subjective happiness (Subjective Happiness Scale) of patients diagnosed with Alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS group), and Opioid dependence syndrome (ODS group) who were currently not having withdrawal symptoms. Results: A total of 111 individuals were screened, of which 49 in the ODS group and 30 in the ADS group met the selection criteria. The majority of the individuals in both groups were married, belonged to urban areas, practiced Hinduism, and lived in nuclear families. There was a significant difference between the educational status, the religion practiced, the age of onset of dependence, the severity of dependence, and the duration of abstinence between the ADS and ODS groups. Better social support (P = 0.029), higher emotion-focused coping (P < 0.001), and higher engagement (P = 0.001) in ADS, while the pattern of disengagement (P = 0.003) was found higher in the ODS group. Other correlates were comparable in both groups. Recovery (ARC) has a moderate correlation with social support in both groups (ODS-rho = 0.424, P = 0.002 and ADS rho = 0.695, P < 0.001). Furthermore, in the ADS group, a moderate correlation was seen between emotion-focused engagement, problem-focused engagement, and coping skills. While in ODS individuals, a weak correlation of recovery capital was observed with organizational religious activity and emotion-focused engagement, emotion-focused disengagement coping skills. Discussion and Conclusions: The results of our study reveal that social support emerged as the important factor common in both groups, which suggests that it should be the key area of psychosocial interventions in both disorders. A focus on enhancing coping styles and increasing other lifestyle factors can help sustain this path for longer.

The role of spirituality and religiosity in psychoactive substance use among adolescents in a Nigerian Hospital

Objective: Adolescence is a transition period where drug experimentation is common. Spirituality and religiosity have been recognized by literature as having a possible role in stabilizing good physical and mental health. To compare the religiosity and spirituality among adolescents abusing a psychoactive substance and those not abusing psychoactive substances in a Nigerian hospital Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among adolescent patients admitted to the drug rehabilitation unit and adolescents attending the General Outpatient Department of the ABUAD Multisystem Hospital, Ado-Ekiti. The Daily Spiritual Experience Scale and Centrality of Religiosity Scale were used Results: The prevalence of high religiosity and spirituality among the respondents was 57.9% and 56.1%. The prevalence of high religiosity and spirituality among respondents not abusing psychoactive substances was 62.9% and 62.6% respectively, while the level of high spirituality and religiosity among respondents abusing psychoactive substances was 53.0% and 49.1% respectively. A significant proportion of the respondents who had a low level of religiosity (55.9%) abused psychoactive substances than respondents who do not abuse psychoactive substances (45.7%) (X2=7.694 p=0.006). Similarly, more proportion of respondents who had a low level of spirituality (57.4%) abused psychoactive substances than respondents who do not abuse psychoactive substances (44.2%). The observation is statistically significant (X2=11.1, p&lt;0.001). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the spirituality and religiosity scores among the respondents (r =0.50, p&lt;0.001) Conclusion: Psychoactive drug use among the respondent was associated with both low religiosity and spirituality. Therefore, religious activities should be encouraged among adolescents.

Spirituality and Anxiety In Elderly With Hypertension

Anxiety is an emotional condition that causes discomfort which is characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety and fear so that it can interfere with life. One of the factors that cause anxiety in the elderly is spiritual activity. The higher the spiritual level of the elderly, the lower the level of anxiety will be. This study aimed to determine the correlation between spiritual level and anxiety in the hypertensive elderly. The design of this study was correlational with a cross sectional approach. The sample was 31 respondents. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling and the statistical test used was Rank Spearman. The measuring instruments used were the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES) and Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS) questionnaires. The research results showed that most of the respondents were at a moderate spiritual level (58.1%) and most of the respondents were at a moderate level of anxiety (71.0%). The Spearman Rank test result showed a Significance (2-tailed) result of 0.000 (ρ &lt; 0.05). So, it can be concluded that there was a significant correlation between Spiritual and Anxiety Level with a very strong relationship. The higher the spiritual level, the lower the level of anxiety felt. Therefore, spiritual activities such as getting closer to God, participating in studies, reading holy books or holy Qur’an that are believed to be, and having a good relationship with the surrounding environment are very beneficial for the elderly to control their anxiety, especially for the elderly who have chronic diseases.

The virtue of religious faith and its relationship to posttraumatic stress disorder in victims of torture: the unique outcomes of men and women

ABSTRACT Three aspects of religious faith: faith-as-faithfulness; faith-as-trust; and faith-as-experience were examined in the lives of torture survivors with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Fetzer Scale items: Positive and Negative Religious Coping (PRC & NRC), Religious Practices (RP), and Daily Spiritual Experiences (DSE) were applied to a sample of 111 asylees. While none of the correlational hypotheses from the total sample showed a significant association between the variables of PRC, RP, and DSE to PTSD, a post hoc gender analyses revealed significant posttraumatic responses between women and men. Men showed a positive and significant association between PTSD, PRC and NRC, and women, a significant, negative association between Religious Social Support and PTSD. A multiple regression analysis investigated whether NRC, RP and DSE would predict significant variance with PTSD. Only NRC was shown to be a unique, significant predictor of PTSD above and beyond any beneficial effects of Religious Social Support (RSS).

Daily spiritual experiences and symptoms of depression among cardiac patients

Daily spiritual experiences and symptoms of depression among cardiac patients