Refining Dimensions of Spiritual Wellness: A Cross‐Traditional Approach

Abstract

There is an increased interest in the topic of spirituality in the fieldsAffirming spirituality as relevant to the counseling process requires continued research regarding how people experience spirituality across cultures and whether there are common dimensions to different types of spirituality. This article reports the results of a study (funded in part by an ASERVIC research grant) that suggest 10 initial dimensions of spiritual wellness agreed on by leaders from 11 spiritual traditions. This study was the first part of a larger project to create a cross-traditional spiritual-wellness inventory.The construct of spiritual well ness is a reflection of spiritual health (Ellison, 1983;Ingersoll, 1995). Because spirituality is difficult to define or describe fully (Ingersoll, 1994;Westgate, 1996), this construct offers a framework to discuss spirituality and conceptualize quantitative exploration. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURERegarding dimensions of spiritual wellness or spiritual well-being, Moberg and Brusek (1978) identified dimensions such as faith and belief in a divinity, meaning in life, peace of mind, faith in other people, and harmony with oneself. In a discussion of health and spirituality, Banks (1980) identified meaning, principles, a higher power, a sense of mystery, service to others, and faith. Moberg (1984)reported seven factor-analyzed dimensions of spiritual wellbeing that included Christian faith, self-satisfaction, personal piety, subjective spiritual well-being, optimism, religious cynicism, and elitism. In discussion of R. Elliott Ingersoll is an assistant professor at

A Course in Spiritual Dimensions of Counseling: Continuing the Discussion

“…Novel aspects of this newly introduced course and student assessment of various course activities and assignments are highlighted. The article concludes with questions that suggest future research directions.everal authors (e.g., Burke et al, 1999;Burke & Miranti, 1995;Fukuyama & Sevig, 1997;Ingersoll, 1997;Kelly, 1995;Myers & Williard, 2003) have S emphasized the need for incorporating religious and spiritual dimensions into the counselor education curriculum and the dearth of such specific courses. Pate and High (1995) estimated that the religious and spiritual dimensions of counseling are found in only approximately half of counselor education programs.…”

“…He also required research in an area of spiritual interest about which students were to give individual presentations. Ingersoll's (1997) issues related to counseling and completion, by students, of confidential reaction cards at the end of each class period. Two differences in content were the emphasis he placed on exploring suffering, including the perspectives of major world religions, and the investigations of potentially destructive expressions of spiritual and religious beliefs in cults.…”

The Impact of Spiritual Wellbeing and Coping Strategies on Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

“…The results showed that, of 13 dimensions, only three (i.e., concept of the hereafter, mystery, and meaning) significantly and negatively predicted the intensity of GAD symptoms. Ingersoll (1998) proposed that the spiritual dimension of meaning is expressed in the form of a sense of having a life worth living, a purposeful life, and of being at peace. Meaninglessness in life may result into various psychopathologies (Frankl, 1964;Maslow, 1964) and spirituality restores the purpose and meaning of the life, which, in turn, reduces mental distress (Cornah & Ryrie, 2006).…”

“…He further explained that enhancement of spiritual wellbeing depends on developing healthy relationships in each domain. In contrast, Ingersoll (1998) proposed 10 dimensions of spiritual wellbeing: conception of divinity, meaning, connectedness, present-centeredness, mystery, rituals, hope, forgiveness, knowledge/learning, sense of freedom. He describes the conception of divinity as reflecting a personal image or experience of the absolute, and the dimension of meaning expressed as a sense that life is worth living and purposeful, as well as a sense of being at peace.…”

“…The present study aimed to explore the specific dimensions of spiritual wellbeing, proposed by Ingersoll (1998), that significantly predict the intensity of generalized anxiety disorder, and the types of coping strategies that mediate the relationship between spiritual wellbeing and generalized anxiety disorder. This research would help to reveal the importance of conceptualizing the mental disorders by considering the spiritual aspect along with the prevalent bio-psychosocial model.…”