Spirituality In Context Research Articles

'Impaired in life': Analyzing people's accounts of depression in Ethiopia - Implications for a cultural-eco social approach to global mental health.

Depression is a global crisis and a major concern in mental health interventions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where it significantly impacts disability, quality of life, and economic stability. These chronic stressors have been used to argue for scaling up the detection and treatment of depression as a public health and development priority. This study aimed to explore illness narratives of depression among patients' and to gain insights into multifaceted suffering, its impact on persons' lives, and help seeking. This study is part the broader study which examined global mental health, biopolitics, and depression in Ethiopia, conducted in hospice setting to explore the conception of depression in Bahirdar city, Northern Ethiopia, among patients and health care providers. In this study, we focus on patients' accounts of depression. We employed an ethnography method using in-depth interviews, fieldnotes, and observation to collect the data. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Drawing from cross-cultural and critical psychiatry perspectives, we situate depression within its cultural-eco social framework. The study revealed that patients' experiences and conception of depression are deeply intertwined with Ethiopia's sociocultural, economic, and spiritual context. Depression was often described as a state of being 'impaired in life', reflecting the complex interplay of individual struggles and societal pressures. Integrating quotes from patients, we demonstrated in this analysis the ways in which biographically specific challenges, societal pressures, and mental well-being are understood by study participants in accordance with Ethiopian cultural and religious norms. The study suggests moving beyond narrow interpretative frameworks in GMH praxis to understand and address the complex dimensions of depression in Ethiopia and similar contexts. The study advocates for a cultural-ecosocial approach to depression, emphasizing the need for mental health interventions that consider the broader social and cultural factors contributing to mental distress.

Childhood Vaccination Decisions during the Pandemic: Tradition, Generational Influence, and Spiritual Perspectives

Background: Vaccination is an attempt to form active immunity in an individual. Vaccination is carried out as a preventive measure against infection, both in adults and children. This study aims to determine the effect of parental attitudes, generational influenced, and spiritual contexts on children's vaccination decisions, in this case, the COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional online survey method, with parents who have children aged 6–11 and willing to take part in this study as respondents. Data collection was carried out from November 2022 to April 2023. There were 66 participants who met the criteria, and then an analysis was carried out using the Structural Equation Model (SEM) method, which was processed using Partial Least squares (PLS). Results: According to research findings, parents' points of view play an important role in deciding whether to vaccinate their child or not. Up to 58% of respondents said they support vaccinating their children, in this case with the COVID-19 vaccination. Conclussion: Parental attitudes of vaccination in children in this research is strongly influenced by parents' views, so the right approach is needed for parents for the successful implementation of vaccination in children. Other influential factors are spiritual context and generational influence from family regarding COVID-19.

Psychology of religion and spirituality in Jewish contexts: A synthetic review

Jewish spirituality and religion include dynamics that are different from other traditions and have important implications for relational forms of spirituality. Certain approaches to relational Judaism (e.g. Mussar) have offered insights for understanding the folk psychology of relational spirituality in Jewish contexts but have not generated empirical research. Existing research in the psychology of Jewish religion and spirituality draws on several theoretical frameworks and has generated helpful findings. In this synthetic review, we foreground the role of theory in psychological research and offer a brief review of several theoretical frameworks used in research on the psychology of Jewish religion and spirituality (cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, cultural psychology of religion, and positive psychology). The relational spirituality model (RSM) is summarized as a conceptual framework that could be useful for future research in this area. We use the RSM as a heuristic organizing framework to review several lines of prior empirical research on the psychology of Jewish religion and spirituality that fit within the RSM domains of spiritual dwelling, seeking, and struggles. The final section outlines future directions in research in this area based on the RSM, with particular attention to dimensions of diversity (e.g. gender, sexual orientation), diverse contexts of Jewish spirituality, Jewish spirituality in relation to both mental health suffering and flourishing, and historical trauma. We also highlight the need for research on Jewish spiritual development in communal settings (e.g. congregations, seminaries) to provide a deeper understanding at both individual and communal levels, and interdisciplinary integration with Jewish theology.

Plotinus’ νοητή ουσία means substance paths to the Absolute

The main issue of this paper is the role of νοῦς, or mind, as a condition for νοητής ουσίας. The activity of self-conscious self-knowledge within the framework of the noetic view of the Absolute is the ultimate and most important category for the author. Plotinus transcends the traditional dualism of being and non-being by showing that mind and soul are integral components of immaterial reality. In doing so, he makes it clear that human self-knowledge has an existential-subjective quality, based on the capacity for spiritual intuition. Discovering and developing this truth leads to transcendence, which is the criterion for transforming an entity burdened by externality into a supra-gignified entity, one that is free from the limitations of time and space. The sensual world, represented by the κόσμος αισθητός, can be an obstacle to learning about one's own nature and realizing the path toward liberation from the yoke of the animal self. Of course, being, understood in a spiritual context, has ontological priority here. However, an entity that is limited by external conditions - can bring itself all the way up to intellectual life through knowledge of itself. It manifests itself in the ability of spiritual intuition and thus salvific metamorphosis toward the timeless and supra-ontic Absolute. For Plotinus, this spiritual process of development represents an important truth about man. On the noetic view of the One, the identity of the self implies knowledge of the self in God, which is the central mystery of transformation and return to the supernatural source.

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF THE CAUSATIVE-HOLISTIC MODEL OF HEALTH

Within this study, the necessity of a causative-holistic approach to health, viewed through philosophical and spiritual contexts, is substantiated. The author focuses on the structural analysis of the health model, based on the conducted research on the understanding of the phenomenon of health by ancient philosophers, medieval thinkers, and contemporary scientists. The article acknowledges the importance of spirituality in health and defines it as a causal factor that sets parameters for the development of physical health. The research offers a detailed description of the structure of holistic health, which includes unity, duality, and trinity, forming the foundation on the tripartite model “spirit-soul-body,” which has shaped the understanding of holistic health since medieval times and remains unchanged. Based on the metaphysical system proposed by the German mystic Jacob Böhme, the author substantiates the septenary structure of the spirit, reflecting in the septenary manifestation of the human being, and should have its analogy in the physical body and social dimension of the human being. A decenary model of health is also proven, appearing in the connection of the septenary «earthly human» with the triple metasystem complex, reflecting the spiritual aspect of holistic human. This decenary model forms a new causative-holistic view on human health and can be the basis for changing the medical paradigm, which should be based on primary spiritual factors of health for the preservation and improvement of both physical health and the health of the metasystem complex human-collective-society-planet.

Religious/Spiritual Abuse, Meaning-Making, and Posttraumatic Growth

While religion and spirituality (R/S) have been broadly studied for their positive mental health impacts, instances of abuse within religious or spiritual contexts remain under-researched. This scoping review aims to elucidate how individuals experiencing such abuse navigate their trauma, find meaning, and foster posttraumatic growth (PTG). The research was conducted using a scoping review methodology as a guide, and 10 articles were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Synthesizing these articles revealed the following three central themes: recognizing abuse, relaying one’s story, and redefining spirituality. Survivors often face disbelief and stigma, hindering their ability to process their experiences. However, narrative sharing enables many to reclaim agency and healing through validation and the integration of the narrative into one’s life story. Additionally, survivors often transform spirituality, shifting from rigid frameworks to more nuanced and flexible understandings of the Divine and self. These findings underscore the importance of trauma-informed, spiritually sensitive clinical approaches that validate survivors’ experiences, facilitate narrative sharing, and support spiritual redefining. Future research must address knowledge gaps, including the development of improved assessment tools, exploration of effective treatment strategies, and the unifying of terms to better support survivors’ healing journeys and promote meaning-making and PTG in the aftermath of R/S abuse.

Program to Increase Literacy Understanding of Islamic Religion in Payadapur Village, East Kluet District, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam

This research is research carried out in the community service program carried out by KKNT STAI As-Sunnah Lecturers and Students with programs to increase literacy for understanding the Islamic religion towards society. It is very important to implement it because of the importance of strengthening literacy in the Islamic religion. Religious literacy helps someone understand the principles -the basic principles of their religion, including religious beliefs, doctrines, and practices. This research aims to assist in developing a deeper understanding of religious teachings and how to apply them in everyday life. This research uses the PAR Participatory Action Research method, PAR is an approach whose process aims at learning in overcoming problems and meeting the practical needs of society, as well as the production of knowledge and processes. socio-religious change and Strengthening Religious Identity. Understanding religion well can strengthen a person's religious identity. Thus, religious literacy plays an important role in the formation of individuals who are tolerant, educated and empowered in a social and spiritual context. This Religious Literacy Program practically needs to be implemented, because of the lack of attention from stakeholders towards the community, especially towards understanding and knowledge of the Islamic religion of the community itself.

SPIRITUAL THEMES AND POETIC STYLE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS IN YASAWI AND BLAKE’S WORKS

This article is a comparative analysis of the works of AhmedYasawi, a representative of the Kazakh literary tradition, and William Blake, a great poet of the English Romantic school. The study aims to identify common spiritual themes and artistic strategies in the works of these two poets, as well as to search forpossible interrelations in their poetic styles. Both poets address deep spiritual issues such as love, mysticism, and the meaning of human existence. The analysis identifies unique traits and similar motifs in Yasawi and Blake's work, demonstrating how they use artistic techniques to express their philosophical beliefs.The article helpsreaders a deep dive into the world of Yasawi and Blake's poetry, revealing the common themes and symbols that permeate their works. Not only are the texts themselves analyzed, but also the context in which they were created, reflecting the influence of cultural, religious, and philosophical factors on their work.The study intends not only to broaden our understanding of Yasawi's and Blake's poetry, but also to emphasize the universality of the themes addressed by the literature of different cultural traditions. It invites readers to immerse themselves in a world of mysticism, love, and spiritual quest, providing new keys to interpreting the works of these outstanding poets. Methodological approaches such as textual analysis, comparative analysis, semiotic analysis, literary review and critical theory were used throughout the study.The comparative analysis of the works is a relevant study that enriches cultural dialog andreveals the deep spiritual aspects of their works that are relevant to the contemporary global context.The study of these authors works has practical value for a deeper understanding of cultural and spiritual contexts, as well as theoretical value by providing a basis for a broader discussion of the influence of literature on intercultural dialog.

Improving The Work Culture of Civil Servants Through Mental Revolution in The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Papua

This study explores the effectiveness of the mental revolution program in improving the work culture of State Civil Apparatus in the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Papua Province. Using a qualitative approach, this study combined in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis to collect data from 25 key informants. Data analysis integrated transformative learning theory, cultural intelligence model, and appreciative organisational change theory. The findings indicate a significant improvement in the work culture intelligence of the State Civil Apparatus (ASN) in the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Papua Province, especially in the metacognitive dimension, and a surprising transformation of perspective in an initially resistant group. This study expands understanding of the intersection between transformative learning, cultural intelligence, and organisational change in religious institutions. The theoretical implications include the development of a new framework for change management that is sensitive to cultural and spiritual contexts in a highly diverse region.

Pengajaran Tentang Hari Penghakiman (Amos 5:18—20)

Judgment is the process of assessing a person's wrongdoing and determining an appropriate punishment, both in worldly and spiritual contexts. In Christianity, the Day of Judgment is when God fully reveals the truth and gives the final verdict on each individual's fate based on their deeds. The Book of Amos, written around the 750s BC by the prophet Amos, warns Israel that the "Day of the Lord," which they anticipated as a day of victory, would actually be a day of darkness and judgment because of their sins. This study examines the relevance of the teachings about the Day of Judgment in the Book of Amos (Amos 5:18-20) to contemporary Christian life. Amos' message emphasizes the importance of living righteously, avoiding sin, and treating others with justice and love. These teachings serve as a guide for Christians to live meaningful and responsible lives before God and others

Pengelolaan Dana Zakat untuk Pemberdayaan Pendidikan Anak Yatim Dhuafa

Ziswaf (Zakat, Infaq, Sadaqah and Waqf) is the practice of giving gifts or endowments in Islam. Ziswaf plays a very important role in teaching Islam in a social, economic and spiritual context. The Ziswaf program itself aims to facilitate the practice of Ziswaf in society. This program can take the form of a zakat, infaq, sadaqah and waqf collection program organized by social or religious institutions. The aim of this research is to examine how zakat funds are managed to empower the education of orphans and poor people in Yatim Mandiri Pasuruan. The research carried out in this study used qualitative methods with the aim of interpreting and describing the data in question. The qualitative method we use in this research is a literature study. Literature study is a research method in which information is sought through books, magazines and other literature. The Ziswaf program aims to facilitate the practice of ziswaf to make it easier and more effective and ensure its usefulness. managed well and used for purposes that are truly beneficial to society

Learning in the Intimacy of the Guru-Disciple Relationship

Our article has two aims: first, to track the ethos of learning and the importance of the guru–disciple relationship in the Amma movement, and secondly, to explore the ways in which one Finnish disciple frames her life though this special relationship. The narrative of the disciple becomes especially interesting in that she is a long-term devotee from Finland who has a background in formal academic learning and works in a socially highly valued and demanding profession – and yet has chosen to invest a considerable amount of time and energy to spirituality and committed herself to a close and intimate guru–disciple relationship that guides her personal and work life as well as her overall understanding of learning. Our case study, drawing especially on such materials as Amma’s public discourse and one extensive individual narrative, complemented by ethnographical observations in the ashram in India, shows how pervasive the language and ethos of learning can be in a spiritual context, and what the intimacy of the teacher–student relationship may provide to highly educated individuals in contemporary largely secular Western society.

Sabbath Observance: Social Analysis in the Context of Community Welfare

Discusses the importance of Sabbath observance in both social and spiritual contexts. Sabbath, the day of rest ordained by the Law of God, provides time for humans to rest, worship, and connect with others. The practice of Sabbath observance not only holds spiritual implications but also economic and social ones. Sabbath observance restricts economic activities, thus aiding in reducing social disparities temporarily. Furthermore, Sabbath strengthens brotherhood and unity within communities. The concepts of the Sabbatical Year and the Year of Jubilee also bring forth positive social implications, including debt release and emancipation of slaves, providing opportunities for the less fortunate. Hence, Sabbath observance has a positive impact on societal well-being

The Evangelical Aim in the History of the Great and Mighty Kingdom of China by Juan González de Mendoza, a 16th Century European Work on China

For over five centuries, the History of the Great and Mighty Kingdom of China, written by Spanish missionary Juan González de Mendoza and published in 1585 in Rome, has captured the interest of the international academic community. However, scholarship has primarily focused on Mendoza’s depiction of China as rich and powerful, potentially overlooking the evangelical purpose of his narrative and failing to explain the correlation between the positive Chinese image and the author’s evangelical intention. This study aims to clarify the image of China presented by the Spanish author through a detailed textual analysis, concluding that Mendoza portrayed China as a rich and great nation that also had misguided beliefs and was open to evangelization. The Spanish author’s identity as an Augustinian preacher and ambassador of King Philip II of Spain to the Ming dynasty of China, as well as the global and evangelistic social context in which he lived, significantly influenced his perceptions of China. Furthermore, his hybrid profile of China was accepted in Europe at the time and became a collective memory because it embodied the spiritual context shared by the European community in the 16th century. This spiritual purpose was achieved through the idealized imagination, which serves as an affective medium in the formation of collective memory.

Engaging the Evil Forces in the Spirit Realm: A Theology of Spiritual Warfare in African Neo-Pentecostal Spirituality

Prayer is traditionally used as a way of communicating with God and giving petitions to Him. However, within African neo-Pentecostal spirituality, prayer is more than communication and petitions; it is a way of addressing the evil forces in the spiritual realm. This is informed by the link that African neo-Pentecostals make between life challenges and evil forces in the spirit realm. In other words, problems such as diseases, sicknesses, miscarriages, misfortune, curses, and others are seen as coming from the spirit realm and as being caused by evil spirits. Surprisingly, even problems of unemployment, visa application, poverty, and inequality are linked to the evil forces in the spirit realm by some African neo-Pentecostals. Previous studies have addressed this phenomenon within the context of African neo-Pentecostal spirituality. What is new in this article is the development of a theology of spiritual warfare within the African neo-Pentecostal spirituality. This article argued that not every situation emanates from the spirit realm. Some challenges have a human element of incompetencies, greed, corruption, and so forth. The study is a literature review on spiritual warfare. The study makes a new contribution to the Pentecostal theology of spiritual warfare by paying attention to other life challenges that are not linked to evil forces. This changes how Pentecostal scholars and theologians study the concept of spiritual warfare, there is a need for considering other causative factors in life situations. It is recommended here that a Pentecostal theology of spiritual warfare should holistically look at life rather than always perceiving all life challenges as emanating from the spirit realm. Keywords: Evil Forces, Spirit Realm, Pentecostal Theology, Spiritual Warfare, African Neo-Pentecostal Spirituality

The Development and Feasibility of a Novel Group Intervention to Support Helping Professionals in Metabolizing Suffering and Engaging Strengths: The CHRYSALIS Program

ABSTRACT This feasibility study reports on the development and initial evaluation of a novel online intervention for helping professionals (HPs; i.e. mental health professionals, chaplains, clergy) designed to (a) address occupational hazards, such as burnout and vicarious traumatization, and (b) promote well-being and flourishing at work. In contrast with competency and self-care focused models, the CHRYSALIS (Catalyzing Helping Professionals’ Resilience, VitalitY, Spirituality, Authentic Living, and Inner Strength) intervention centers the self of the provider, explores cultural and spiritual contexts, and attends to systemic challenges. As part of a larger randomized controlled trial evaluating two program formats, the group format entails eight online sessions exploring strengths that can promote well-being, including processing, relational, vitalizing, orienting, and agentic capacities. To pilot test this framework and establish proof of concept, this study analyzed data from 41 HPs who had been randomly assigned to the group condition and completed surveys at four time points. Quantitative results indicated significant reductions in vicarious traumatization and burnout as well as increased well-being and meaning in work. Qualitative results suggest the intervention fostered relational support, cultivated new perspectives, and increased engagement with strengths, positively impacting participants’ work and navigation of caregiving systems. Feedback about cohesion and group dynamic challenges in an online format informed further program development. This study provides initial support for the feasibility and efficacy of the group format of the CHRYSALIS intervention as a creative means to address HPs’ risk for occupational hazards and promote holistic formation in a relational context.

Core components of end-of-life care in nursing education programs: a scoping review

BackgroundSo far, there have been many studies on end-of-life nursing care education around the world, and in many cases, according to the cultural, social, and spiritual contexts of each country, the results have been different. The present study intends to gain general insight into the main components of end-of-life care in nursing education programs by reviewing scientific texts and the results of investigations.MethodsThis study was a scoping review conducted with the Arksey and O’Malley methodology updated by Peters et al. First, a search was made in Wos, ProQuest, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Research Gate, and Google Scholar databases to find studies about end-of-life care education programs. Then, the screening of the found studies was done in four stages, and the final articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the studies. Due to the nature of the research, editorials, letters, and commentaries were excluded. The screening steps are shown in the PRISMA-ScR diagram.Results23 articles related to end-of-life care education programs were reviewed. The studies included eleven descriptive and cross-sectional studies, two qualitative studies, eight interventional studies, one concept analysis article, and one longitudinal study. By summarizing the data from the studies, six themes were obtained as the main components of end-of-life care education: principles of end-of-life care, communication skills, physical considerations, psychosocial and spiritual considerations, ethical considerations, and after-death care.ConclusionEnd-of-life care is one of the most challenging nursing care in the world. Since many nurses are not prepared to provide such care, the information obtained from this review can help nursing education and treatment managers develop more comprehensive training programs to improve the quality of end-of-life care.

‘Reclaiming their stories’: A study of the spiritual content of historical cultural objects through an Indigenous creative inquiry

Developing methods for communicating, analysing, and interpreting the spiritual context of cultural objects is essential to gaining a deep understanding of the past. In archaeology, Indigenous methodologies in the field of creativity as an embodied exploration can enable archaeologists to understand how we perceive and interpret cultural information. This article examines how art making, within Indigenous cultures, serves as a powerful lens through which archaeological inquiries can be spiritually interpreted. This intricate relationship between art making and archaeological exploration provides a nuanced understanding of the spiritual significance inherent in historical relics. Its objective is to highlight Indigenous creative embodied methodologies, embracing a decolonised perspective that honours Indigenous worldviews. Serving as a bridge, it narrows the divide between creative craftsmanship and the field of archaeology.

Trauma-Informed Evangelism: Cultivating Communities of Wounded Healers

Trauma-Informed Evangelism: Cultivating Communities of Wounded Healers

Trauma-Informed Evangelism: Cultivating Communities of Wounded Healers

Trauma-Informed Evangelism: Cultivating Communities of Wounded Healers