The Relationship of Life-Changing Spiritual Experiences to Current Religious/Spiritual Attitudes and Practices

A Pilot Study

Bibliographic Data

ID10338199
AuthorsOrsolya Cseh (Eötvös Loránd University), István Karsai (0000-0002-9191-8209, Eötvös Loránd University), Attila Szabó (0000-0001-7833-8894, Eötvös Loránd University, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume73
Issue2
Pages227-238
Publication date2024-01-03
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePastoral Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0031-2789 • E-ISSN: 1573-6679
PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s11089-023-01120-9
OpenAlexW4390541473
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited31

Positive life changes may be associated with spiritual/religious sources. This pilot study tested religiousness/spirituality in adults ( N = 77; 21% men; M age = 39.45, SD = 11.97 years) who answered demographic questions and completed the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality. Respondents who reported a major life-changing spiritual experience (72.7%) were compared to those who did not (27.3%). The former scored higher ( p < .05) on all measures and had a higher proportion of religious ( p = .04) and spiritual ( p < .001) identity. At the same time, no differences in age, gender, education, or urban vs. rural location emerged. Among those who had experienced a significant life change, 42.9% had such experiences when they were 18 years or younger. Most (83.4%) were committed spiritually and attended religious services once or more weekly. The age at which the life-changing experience occurred correlated strongly ( r = .70) with the strengthening of religious/spiritual practices. The results suggest that life-changing spiritual experiences fuel religious/spiritual attitudes and behaviors and that their impact may be more profound if experienced at a younger age

Cross-cultural psychology · Identity (music · Purpose in life · Religiosity · Religious experience · Religious life · Spirituality · Theology · Clinical Psychology · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Medicine · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Religious studies · Social Psychology · Religious Studies

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