What is the “Relational” in Relational Spirituality? A Review of Definitions and Research Directions

Tomlinson, Jim; Glenn, Elizabeth S.; Paine, David R.; Sandage, Steven J.

doi:10.1080/19349637.2015.1066736

Cited by 29 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…In examining the above definitions, it seems that RS is mostly discussed within two categories: (1) as a cognitive appraisal of existential issues and (2) as the experiential knowledge of the divine [ 14 ]. The former recognises RS in connection to the cognitive appraisal of stressors and interpersonal struggles when the individual is in a relationship with the sacred and often referred to as the ‘head-knowledge of God’ [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relational spirituality and quality of life 2007 to 2017: an integrative research review

Counted

Possamaï

Meade

2018

Health Qual Life Outcomes

123

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BackgroundDespite the increasing number of evidence-based research on relational spirituality (RS) and quality of life (QoL) in medical-health research, little is known about the links between RS and QoL outcomes and the mechanisms by which RS aspects are functionally tied to QoL.ObjectiveTo determine how RS is perceived/positioned in relation to QoL, we (a) examined recent available data that identify and appraise the links between RS and QoL; (b) identified themes emerging from the association between RS and QoL, and (c) discussed the implications of the effects of RS on QoL outcomes.MethodsWe conducted an integrative research review of English-language peer-reviewed articles published between 2007 to March 2017 which examined an association between RS and QoL, as identified from a search of three databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, and ScienceDirect.ResultsA total of 20 studies were analysed. Of these, twelve (60%) reported positive association between RS and QoL, three (15%) studies reported inverse associations, whereas five (25%) studies showed evidence of lack of association (with two out of the five studies showing an indirect association). Physical health and psychological functioning were the most researched domains of QoL, and some studies suggest an attachment-based model of RS in the last 10 years of RS and QoL research. Studies conducted with participants with serious illnesses ranging from dementia, cardiac arrest, and breast cancer reported no association between RS and physical health. Our review shows evidence of both the direct and/or indirect effects of RS on QoL as a possible spiritual coping model for complementary alternative health therapy, albeit occurring through several religious-related psychosocial conduits.Conclusion and implicationRS appears to be associated with health benefits as indicated across QoL domains. General medical practitioners and other healthcare agencies could benefit from the understanding that a spiritual coping model could aid their patients, and therefore their clinical practices, in the healing process.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relational spirituality and quality of life 2007 to 2017: an integrative research review

Counted

Possamaï

Meade

2018

Health Qual Life Outcomes

123

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“…In an excellent overview, Tomlinson and colleagues formulated five categories of what is meant by relational spirituality. We assume that our model reasonably fits in the fifth category, what Tomlison and colleagues named the "Differentiatedbased model" (Tomlinson et al, 2016). This asks for a brief explanation.…”

Section: What Is Relational Spirituality?mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…In contemporary thinking, there exists more or less consensus with regard to relatedness as fundamental characteristic of being human. In psychology of religion there is a tendency to take relationality as organizing principle for understanding human development and functioning and to conceptualize spirituality in relational terms (among many others; Davis, Hook, Van Tongeren, Gartner, & Worthington, 2012;Kirkpatrick, 2005;Tomlinson, Glenn, Paine, & Sandage, 2016;Worthington & Sandage, 2016). We see relationships not just as something that come to the person from the outside, but that our relatedness is constitutive for partners in their relationships.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spiritual Life and Relational Functioning: A Model and a Dialogue

Verhagen

Schreurs²

2018

Archive for the Psychology of Religion

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The purpose of this article is to contribute to the dialogue on spirituality in mental health care (psychiatry and psychotherapy). Spirituality is still an uncomfortable theme in mental health care despite a burgeoning literature and research. We will introduce a conceptual model on spiritual and interpersonal relationships based on love in relatedness. The model will enable the (psycho)therapist to assess the interconnectedness of spiritual and interpersonal relationships, to analyse positive or negative effects of spirituality on interpersonal functioning and vice versa, and to look for possibilities for spiritual and therapeutic change. Based on the model, the next step is to reflect on the relationship between psychiatry and spirituality with a view to dialogue instead of unfruitful discussion and controversy. We will propose a dialogue about the alternative DSM-5™ model for personality disorders. Although preliminary, we will show the usefulness of such an interdisciplinary dialogue.

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“…Relational spirituality is a recent term with broad application that highlights a systemic approach to spirituality (Tomlinson, Glenn, Paine, & Sandage, ) as opposed to a focus on the individual internal spirituality like the biopsychosocial‐spiritual model (Sulmasy, ). Shults and Sandage () defined relational spirituality as “ways of relating to the sacred” (p. 160).…”

Section: Brief Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Covenant Attachment: A Constructivist Grounded Theory of Christian Couples and God

Maxwell

Davis

Miller

et al. 2018

J Marital Family Therapy

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The purpose of this constructivist grounded theory study was to develop a deeper understanding of the relational system of married couples and God. We interviewed nine marital couples from Christian denominations that reported having a strong relationship with each other and with God together. We used constructivist grounded theory techniques presented by Charmaz (2006) and analyzed emergent categories of behaviors, emotions, and cognitions to construct a theory and model of Christian marital couples and their shared relationship with God. We then compared and contrasted the results and theory to existing literature on attachment theory and theorized a shared attachment to God. We applied the theological concept of kinship covenant to the results in order to organize and situate the theory into a Christian framework. Finally, we discuss clinical, pastoral, and future research implications.

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What is the “Relational” in Relational Spirituality? A Review of Definitions and Research Directions

Cited by 29 publications

References 44 publications

Relational spirituality and quality of life 2007 to 2017: an integrative research review

Relational spirituality and quality of life 2007 to 2017: an integrative research review

Spiritual Life and Relational Functioning: A Model and a Dialogue

Covenant Attachment: A Constructivist Grounded Theory of Christian Couples and God

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