Linking Religion and Spirituality with Psychological Well-being: Examining Self-actualisation, Meaning in Life, and Personal Growth Initiative

• Published in: Journal of religion and health 2013-09, Vol.52 (3), p.915-929
• Main Authors: Ivtzan, Itai, Chan, Christine P. L., Gardner, Hannah E., Prashar, Kiran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aging; Christianity; Clinical Psychology; Female; Humans; London; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Original Paper; Personal development; Personal growth; Personal Satisfaction; Personality Inventory; Psychological aspects; Psychological research; Psychology of religion; Psychometrics; Public Health; Religion; Religion and Psychology; Religiosity; Religious Studies; Self Concept; Spiritual belief systems; Spirituality; Surveys and Questionnaires; Wellbeing; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0022-4197; 1573-6571
• DOI: 10.1007/s10943-011-9540-2

Research largely shows that religion and spirituality have a positive correlation to psychological well-being. However, there has been a great deal of confusion and debate over their operational definitions. This study attempted to delineate the two constructs and categorise participants into different groups based on measured levels of religious involvement and spirituality. The groups were then scored against specific measures of well-being. A total of 205 participants from a wide range of religious affiliations and faith groups were recruited from various religious institutions and spiritual meetings. They were assigned to one of four groups with the following characteristics: (1) a high level of religious involvement and spirituality, (2) a low level of religious involvement with a high level of spirituality, (3) a high level of religious involvement with a low level of spirituality, and (4) a low level of religious involvement and spirituality. Multiple comparisons were made between the groups on three measures of psychological well-being: levels of self-actualisation, meaning in life, and personal growth initiative. As predicted, it was discovered that, aside from a few exceptions, groups (1) and (2) obtained higher scores on all three measures. As such, these results confirm the importance of spirituality on psychological well-being, regardless of whether it is experienced through religious participation.