The Level of Commitment of Intrinsic Religiosity and Relational Aggression In Middle-Aged Women

The study examined the relationship between the level of commitment to intrinsic religiosity and the role of relational aggression in the lives of middle-aged women. Research has shown that middle-aged women participate in relational aggression, but few studies have investigated it. The causes and methods of prevention in relational aggression are something to be considered, and a first step is examining risk and protective factors. Is intrinsic religiosity a protective or risk factor for participating as an instigator in relational aggression? Does intrinsic religiosity actually buffer the negative effects associated with victimization in relational aggression? Based on research that previously examined the relationship between religiosity and prosociality, I hypothesized that women who are more intrinsically religious will be less likely to participate in relational aggression. Based on research surrounding the benefits of religion to well-being, I also hypothesized that more intrinsically religious women will feel less victimized by aggression than women who are less intrinsically religious

Religión y espiritualidad en el ajuste al duelo

Máster Universitario en Psicología General Sanitaria Por la UllThe objective of this study was to carry out a bibliographic review about the influence of religion and spirituality in coping with grief. The results of the search through the selected databases indicate that, in general, religion and spirituality are positively related to adjustment to loss. Traumatic or unexpected death turned out to be a potential factor hindering the use of religious / spiritual coping strategies, resulting in worse adjustment outcomes.El presente estudio ha tenido como objetivo realizar una revisión bibliográfica acerca de la influencia de la religión y espiritualidad en el afrontamiento del duelo. Los resultados de la búsqueda a través de las bases de datos seleccionadas, indican que en general, la religión y espiritualidad se encuentran positivamente relacionadas con el ajuste a la pérdida. La muerte traumática o inesperada resultó ser un potencial factor que obstaculiza el uso de estrategias de afrontamiento religiosas/espirituales, resultando en peores resultados de ajust

Examining The Use Of Spirituality As A Form Of Social Support In Computer-Mediated Communication

Social Information Processing Theory (Walther, 1992) suggests that individuals can develop and sustain relationships in online contexts even with limited cues present. With more individuals using computer-mediated communication (CMC) for relational processes, there is an increased need for examination of how communication is used with fewer cues present. Due to its contributions to holistic health, spirituality is a dimension of support which also necessitates increased examination as well. The present study examines how CMC can be used for the relational purposes of spiritual and social support in online communities. Messages from two separate online bereavement communities were analyzed to discover themes for how social and spiritual support messages are used in an online bereavement context. Findings from the results suggest that spiritual support is a unique form of social support and can be found in CMC, regardless of the context. Spiritual support is used to share spiritual narratives, blessings, awareness, and prayers with others for the purpose of comfort and encouragement. The relationship to other types of support is also discussed, with results indicating that spiritual support is often shared as information

Exploring the experiences of depression within Krishna consciousness devotees: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Background: Depression is a widespread difficulty seemingly increasing around the world. With the prevalence of this concern having grown in the past few years in the UK and other areas (Lewandowski et al, 2016), researchers have dedicated their time and resources in trying to uncover solutions and prevention methods, if not management strategies to better help one work through their depressive experiences. Research has since steered away from focusing on medicinal practices to manage depression better and instead have turned their focus to alternative forms of management such as holistic and traditional forms of therapy. With some positive statistics indicating the effectiveness of such practices, depression has since progressively received attention in relation to spirituality and religion, a growing area of research in Counselling Psychology (CoP), particularly examining its use as a protective measure for depression. A new religious movement known as Krishna Consciousness (KC) has lately become a topic of interest with research indicating a large presence of depression alongside other mental health difficulties in this growing movement. Investigations have consistently explored follower’s mental states due to their uncommon lifestyle displays and perspectives. Rationale: Despite the movement’s philosophy of ‘chant and be happy;’ research has pointed to a prevalence of numerous mental health difficulties in followers of KC. Indeed, focal studies have indicated a presence of delusional ideations within followers (Richardson, 1995), whilst developed research and contemporary online forums have pointed to a large presence of depression within this community (Wright, 1991). One key quantitative study even boldly labelled devotees of KC as depressive personalities (Magaro et al, 1985) though were unable to answer, what, why or even how followers understood and interacted with their depression. As such, qualitative research investigating depression within this group remains non-existent, whereby exploring such depressive experiences could uncover potential susceptibility factors, triggers and insight into these unusual patterns. Methodology & Results: Seven semi-structured interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) whereby ten subordinate themes emerged which were then subcategorised into three superordinate themes. This provides one of many understandings of devotee’s depressive experiences. The themes which emerged were: 1) finding opportunity within difficulty – 1a) a process of self-reflection, development and reidentification, 1b) a developed sense of drive, meaning and purpose, 1c) a developed resilience, stability and detachment. 2) Coping mechanisms found within faith – 2a) a normalisation and validation of experiences, 2b) acceptance and commitment (continuance) 2c) spiritual tools and resources, 2d) a complementary process to therapy. 3) Exacerbating and maintaining factors - 3a) cognitive dissonance – a battle between instinctual needs and spiritual expectations/ideals, 3b) a stigma/taboo around therapy and opening up, 3c) a sense of risk to the self. Conclusions & Implications: the results of this research indicated that devotee’s spiritual identities as ‘the soul’ played a significant role in the understanding, conceptualisation, and management of their depressive experiences. From this stance which drew on KC philosophies, this appeared to negate the depressive experience as being an external experience which could not harm their true internal selves. This lens seemingly exacerbated symptoms of depression through the neglect of self-care and conflicts of cognitive dissonance, but also displayed a reduction of symptoms of depression via the use of positive religious coping. The findings also suggest, devotees indicated conflicts around the management of stigma and deeper fears around seeking help. Implications of findings are discussed in the context of clinical practic