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The Daily Spiritual Experience Scale: Empirical Relationships to Resiliency-Related Outcomes, Addictions, and Interventions. RELIGIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rel13030237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES) is a 16-item self-report measure designed to assess a set of experiences that may occur in the context of daily life for many different kinds of people. These include awe, a merciful attitude, giving other-centered love, deep inner peace, finding strength, guidance, or consolation from a transcendent source, among others. The DSES includes theistic and non-theistic language and alternatives, and has proven useful for those from many religions and for the unaffiliated. Since its original publication, it has been translated into over 40 languages, used in hundreds of published studies, and adopted for use in many practical settings. Empirically, the DSES predicts greater resilience, stress buffering, post-traumatic growth, and a sense of meaning in the face of illness, trauma, and daily stressors, as well as less substance abuse and burnout. Intervention studies using the DSES show that a variety of interventions can increase the frequency of these experiences. In this article, we will provide a brief overview of the scale and review its use in the empirical literature with respect to resilience and related outcomes. Findings suggest that the experiences measured by the DSES may serve as a resource for those experiencing distress of various kinds.
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Ruiz-Prada M, Fernández-Salinero S, García-Ael C, Topa G. Occupational Stress and Catholic Priests: A Scoping Review of the Literature. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2021; 60:3807-3870. [PMID: 34396482 PMCID: PMC8364777 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01352-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study offers an exploratory review of the experience of stress and burnout syndrome among Catholic priests. Following Arksey and O'Malley's (Int J Soc Res Methodol 8(1):19-32, 2005, https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616 ) protocol, a scoping study was conducted. Given the scarcity of studies found on the subject, a broad selection criterion was used, which included quantitative, qualitative and mixed studies, literature reviews and comparative studies with other professions. The results reveal various risk factors: work overload among younger generations of priests, a sociocultural context that distrusts the clergy, neurotic, introverted, perfectionist and narcissistic personality styles, avoidant and complacent coping styles, living alone, not having sufficient support (especially from the Church authorities), excessive demands and lack of boundaries related to the priestly role and submissive obedience styles, among others. However, the studies reviewed also identified important protection factors: promoting optimism, an approach-based coping style and a collaborative way of resolving conflicts, frequent physical exercise, eating a balanced diet, finding time to rest, strengthening personal identity, social support (from parishioners, collaborators, colleagues, superiors) and leading an active spiritual life. Stress and burnout are associated with certain pathologies linked to smoking, alcoholism, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, anxiety and depression. Strengthening protective factors and minimizing the impact of risk factors would do much to improve the clergy's occupational health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Ruiz-Prada
- Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, National University for Distance Education, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Cristina García-Ael
- Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, National University for Distance Education, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gabriela Topa
- Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, National University for Distance Education, Madrid, Spain
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Büssing A, Starck L, van Treeck K. Experience of Spiritual Dryness and Acedia Symptoms in Seventh-Day Adventists. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2021; 60:1261-1280. [PMID: 33136232 PMCID: PMC7997817 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-020-01092-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
In a cross-sectional survey among 626 Adventists, we investigated their perception of spiritual dryness, and its association with indicators of Acedia, well-being and emotional exhaustion. Women, younger persons and those without a specific duty within the church had significantly higher spiritual dryness scores. Spiritual dryness was predicted best by perceived Excessive Spiritual Demands (indicating spiritual exhaustion) and low perception of the sacred. Further predictors are Acedia's Difficulties in Prayer Life, reduced well-being and emotional exhaustion. The underlying causes might be complex and thus to support persons experiencing these phases, a thorough differentiation of the underlying 'spirits' is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arndt Büssing
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Gerhard-Kienle Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany.
- IUNCTUS - Competence Center for Christian Spirituality, Philosophical-Theological Academy, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Lorethy Starck
- Institute for Holistic Wellbeing and Resilience, Bremen, 28215, Germany
| | - Klaus van Treeck
- Institute for Holistic Wellbeing and Resilience, Bremen, 28215, Germany
- Institute of Continuing Education of Seventh-Day-Adventists (IfW), Ostfildern, 30519, Germany
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Navarro-Mateu D, Alonso-Larza L, Gómez-Domínguez MT, Prado-Gascó V, Valero-Moreno S. I'm Not Good for Anything and That's Why I'm Stressed: Analysis of the Effect of Self-Efficacy and Emotional Intelligence on Student Stress Using SEM and QCA. Front Psychol 2020; 11:295. [PMID: 32231608 PMCID: PMC7082421 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress negatively affects the well-being and the quality of life of the society. Specifically in the academic context, it is relevant to analyze its levels due to its impact on performance and learning. There are factors that affect the said stress including, among others, self-efficacy, and emotional intelligence. The purpose of this study is to analyze how emotional intelligence and perceived self-efficacy affect student stress. In order to show this influence, two complementary methodologies are implemented: the structural equation models (SEMs) and the comparative qualitative analysis (QCA). A total of 477 students (85% of women) from a private University of Valencia participated in the study, with ages ranging from 18 to 53 years old (M = 21.57, SD = 3.68). The assessment instruments used were as follows: Emotional Intelligence Scale (TMMS-24) to measure emotional intelligence; General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSS) to measure self-efficacy; and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to measure stress. The results in the SEM endorse the hypotheses that emotional clarity and self-efficacy are negatively related to stress and positively related to emotional attention (EA), explaining 25% of the variance. The QCA results show that none of the variables is a necessary condition for inducing stress. Nevertheless, different combinations of these variables are sufficient conditions to explain 35% of the high stress levels. The most important combination over high stress levels seems to be the interaction between high levels of EA and low levels of self-efficacy. Regarding the low levels of perceived stress, there are sufficient conditions to explain 50% of them. Mainly, the most important interaction is between low levels of self-efficacy and low levels of EA. The comparison of both methodologies enables the broadening of new horizons at the methodological level applicable to different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Navarro-Mateu
- Department of Educational Psychology and Special Educational Needs, Faculty of Psychology, Teaching and Educational Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Lucía Alonso-Larza
- Department of Educational Psychology and Special Educational Needs, Faculty of Psychology, Teaching and Educational Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Teresa Gómez-Domínguez
- Department of Educational Psychology and Special Educational Needs, Faculty of Psychology, Teaching and Educational Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Prado-Gascó
- Department of Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Selene Valero-Moreno
- Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatments, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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Chirico F, Sharma M, Zaffina S, Magnavita N. Spirituality and Prayer on Teacher Stress and Burnout in an Italian Cohort: A Pilot, Before-After Controlled Study. Front Psychol 2020; 10:2933. [PMID: 32038359 PMCID: PMC6985459 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Teaching is a stressful profession that exposes workers to the risk of burnout. Techniques involving higher mental functions, such as transcendental meditation and prayer, have been used in stress and burnout prevention programs. In this study, we report the results of an experience conducted in a group of teachers of a religious institute, in which prayer was used as a technique to prevent burnout. METHODS Fifty teachers and support staff employed at a Catholic school of a Congregation of nuns volunteered for this study. They were randomized into two groups: prayer treatment (n = 25) or control group (n = 25). The treatment protocol was based on the combination of individual Christian prayer and a focus group of prayer-reflection. The participants received two 30 min training sessions a week over 2 months. Job satisfaction, well-being, and burnout symptoms (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization sub-scales) were measured at baseline and at follow-up (4 months) with the Italian versions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory validated for teaching and education sector, the General Health Questionnaire, and the Warr, Cook, and Wall's Job Satisfaction Scale. RESULTS At follow-up, a significant improvement of all outcome measures was observed. Emotional exhaustion (16.80-4.92, p < 0.001), depersonalization (3.72-0.60, p < 0.001) levels, and psychological impairment (10.08-2.04, p < 0.001) were significantly decreased, and job satisfaction (45.96-77.00, p < 0.001) was increased. The effect sizes (Glass' Δ) of the therapeutic interventions ranged from 0.53 (satisfaction level) to 2.87 (psychological health), suggesting moderate to large effects. DISCUSSION Prayer could be effective, no less than meditation and other spiritual or mind-body techniques, in contrasting the negative effects of occupational stress and preventing burnout among teachers and possibly other human service professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Chirico
- Post-graduate School in Occupational Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Manoj Sharma
- Department of Behavioral and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, United States
- School of Health Sciences, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Health for All, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Salvatore Zaffina
- Post-graduate School in Occupational Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
- Occupational Health Service, Pediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Magnavita
- Post-graduate School in Occupational Health, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Agostino Gemelli University Policlinic, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Man-Ging CI, Frick E, Baumann K. Coping Mechanisms for Psychosomatic Symptoms among Aging Roman Catholic German priests. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2018; 57:1793-1807. [PMID: 29446050 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-018-0582-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
To identify and investigate coping mechanisms and other factors which may impact upon the psychosomatic symptoms of aging German Roman Catholic priests. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 499 aging German Roman Catholic priests with standardized questionnaires: Brief Symptom Inventory, Coping Inventory Stressful Situations, and Religious Coping Scale. Task-Oriented Coping exhibited a significant difference between the two groups. Multiple regression analyses indicated that psychosomatic symptoms could be best predicted by means of Task-Oriented Coping mechanisms, identification with priesthood, and by a low Negative Religious Coping. The success of adaptive coping processes for older clergy may depend on how they employ strategies, strengthen their spiritual dimensions, and manage important psychosocial aspects of aging. In our sample, Depression and Somatization are explained best by Emotion-Oriented Coping. It is desirable for aging priests to be aware of protective factors like Role Identification, Task-Oriented Coping, and low Negative Religious Coping, which may be helpful in improving their psychological well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos I Man-Ging
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University of Munich, Marchioninistr.15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
- Faculty of Philosophical-Theological Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Av. 12 de Octubre 1076 y Roca, 17-01-2184, Quito, Ecuador.
| | - Eckhard Frick
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Spiritual Care Research Center, Medical School, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus Baumann
- Caritas Science and Christian Social Work, Faculty of Theology, Albert-Ludwig University, Platz der Universität 3, 79085, Freiburg, Germany
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Kerksieck P, Büssing A, Frick E, Jacobs C, Baumann K. Reduced Sense of Coherence Due to Neuroticism: Are Transcendent Beliefs Protective Among Catholic Pastoral Workers? JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2017; 56:1956-1970. [PMID: 27787694 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-016-0322-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we examined a third variable effect on the relationship of personality traits, especially neuroticism and the salutogenetic concept sense of coherence. Specifically, we were interested in the moderating role of religious trust (RT) and transcendence perception operationalized as daily spiritual experiences (DSE) on the aforementioned relationship among religious individuals. We applied a cross-sectional study among a sample of 8594 pastoral workers using standardized questionnaires. Multiple regression and moderator analysis displayed the relationships between big five personality variables and sense of coherence. Neuroticism was identified as a negative predictor to sense of coherence, indicating impairment on this psychological resource. RT and DSE appear to function as moderators that buffer the negative effects of neuroticism on sense of coherence among religious persons. This is an interesting finding because people with expressions of neurotic personality tendencies often struggle to find helpful methods of coping and may find a helpful resource in the concepts studied here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Kerksieck
- Caritas Science and Christian Social Work, Faculty of Theology, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Arndt Büssing
- Quality of Life, Spirituality and Coping, Faculty of Health, Institute for Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Herdecke, Germany
| | - Eckhard Frick
- Munich School of Philosophy and Professorship of Spiritual Care, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Jacobs
- Pastoral Psychology and Sociology, Faculty of Theology, University of Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Klaus Baumann
- Caritas Science and Christian Social Work, Faculty of Theology, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany
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Büssing A, Sautermeister J, Frick E, Baumann K. Reactions and Strategies of German Catholic Priests to Cope with Phases of Spiritual Dryness. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2017; 56:1018-1031. [PMID: 27896534 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-016-0333-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We investigated strategies of 763 Catholic priests (response rate 36%) to deal with phases of spiritual dryness, specifically their reactions toward these feelings, and which strategies were used. Most priests have found strategies to cope with feelings of spiritual dryness. Those who have managed to overcome these phases were stimulated "all the more to help others" and experienced "deeper spiritual clarity and depth." Whatever strategy was chosen (we differentiated eight strategies in various combinations), there were no significant differences for priests' self-efficacy expectation, transcendence perception or life satisfaction. Instead, we found significant differences for social support (F = 6.5; p < 0.0001) and somatization (F = 3.4; p = 0.002).
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Affiliation(s)
- Arndt Büssing
- Institute for Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany.
| | | | - Eckhard Frick
- Department of Anthropological Psychology, School of Philosophy, Munich, Germany
- Research Centre Spiritual Care, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus Baumann
- Faculty of Theology, Albert-Ludwig University, Freiburg, Germany
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Baumann K, Jacobs C, Frick Sj E, Büssing A. Commitment to Celibacy in German Catholic Priests: Its Relation to Religious Practices, Psychosomatic Health and Psychosocial Resources. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2017; 56:649-668. [PMID: 27681263 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-016-0313-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to investigate Catholic priests' commitment to celibacy and its relation to their religious practices, life and work satisfaction, and psychosomatic health. Results of our cross-sectional study of 2549 priests show that the majority finds living in celibacy helpful to minister more effectively. Nevertheless, a large proportion see it as a burden and would not choose celibate life again. Commitment to celibacy was predicted best by the frequency of religious practices (liturgy), work engagement and personal relation with God, explaining 39 % of variance. These resources are predictors for maintaining a celibate lifestyle and facilitate priests' satisfaction with life and commitment to their ministry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Baumann
- Caritas Science and Christian Social Work, Faculty of Theology, Albert-Ludwig University, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Eckhard Frick Sj
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Arndt Büssing
- Quality of Life, Spirituality and Coping, Institute for Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany.
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[Prevalence and interaction of stress and psychosomatically relevant lifestyle variables in pastoral-care workers in the German dioceses]. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PSYCHOSOMATISCHE MEDIZIN UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2016; 62:353-365. [PMID: 27924701 DOI: 10.13109/zptm.2016.62.4.353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Reliance on God’s Help Scale as a Measure of Religious Trust—A Summary of Findings. RELIGIONS 2015. [DOI: 10.3390/rel6041358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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