Mentoring Person-Centered Spiritual Maturation

A Quasi-Experimental Mixed Methods Study of a Contemplative Self-Inquiry Curriculum

Bibliographic Data

ID9020657
AuthorsJared D Kass (Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, USA, corresponding author), Jonathan Baxter (Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, USA), Susan L Lennox (Lesley University), Susan Lennox (Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, USA)
Year2014
Volume55
Issue4
Pages474-503
Publication date2014-08-21
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Humanistic Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-1678 • E-ISSN: 1552-650X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0022167814547578
OpenAlexW2157748126
LanguageEN
References cited15

Person-centered spiritual maturation is a developmental process with prosocial potential for individuals and communities with diverse belief systems (including secular humanism). Investigation of this process has historical roots in Kass’s work with Dr. Carl Rogers on the Person-Centered Approach Project. Previous work identifies this construct’s conceptual properties. This article reports the effectiveness of a curriculum to mentor this learning process in higher education. We conducted a quasi-experimental, mixed methods study (triangulated qualitative and quantitative data) with experimental and control groups. Qualitative analysis (written student narratives, experimental group) documented five dimensions of growth (behavioral, cognitive, social–emotional, contemplative, and integrative) that culminated in a resilient worldview and prosocial behavior. Statistical analysis (experimental and control groups, pre–post intervention) confirmed these findings, demonstrating significant improvement in quantifiable elements of person-centered spiritual maturation. Effect sizes were meaningful, indicating 15% to 21% greater improvement in the experimental group. These results suggest that person-centered spiritual maturation can serve as a prevention-oriented, community-building intervention for higher education. It offers an integrative model of learning through which faculty in the social sciences and other disciplines can mentor social–emotional growth and contemplative self-inquiry, helping university communities build sustainable cultures of health, social justice, and peace. Further research is necessary and justified

Construct (python library · Contemplation · Curriculum · Epistemology · Pedagogy · Prosocial behavior · Qualitative property · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Counseling Practices and Supervision · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub