Future and current psychologists may find themselves baffled when confronted with the diversity of religious and spiritual backgrounds of their clients. Few psychologists have received professional training with regard to religion and spirituality, despite the public's overwhelming interest. Currently, the topic of religion/spirituality is being covered to some degree in most accredited clinical programs. However, a distinct minority of these programs approach this education and training in a systematic fashion, whereas other programs report no educational or training opportunities in this area. Several recommendations are made for training programs, which are encouraged to increase their sensitivity to this topic, provide more opportunities for student growth in this area, and incorporate religious and spiritual issues into course work. PETER A. BRAWER received his MA from Loyola College in Maryland. He is a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at St. Louis University. His interests include spirituality and psychology as well as health psychology. PAUL J. HANDAL received his PhD in clinical psychology from St. Louis University in 1969. He is a professor in the Department of Psychology at St. Louis University, where he directed the PhD in clinical psychology training program and the Psychological Services Center. His interests are in professional issues and development. ANTHONY N. FABRICATORE received his MA from Loyola College in Maryland and is currently a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at St. Louis University. His research interests include religion, spirituality, and their psychological correlates. RAFAEL ROBERTS received his BA in theology at the University of Iowa. VALERIE A. WAJDA-JOHNSTON received her MA from Loyola College in Maryland and her PhD in clinical psychology from St. Louis University.
The present study examined the impact that a personal, integrated spirituality has on well-being and its role in moderating the effects of stressors (both significant life events and hassles) on well-being among a sample of 120 undergraduates at a private religiously affiliated college. The hypotheses were as follows: First, stressors would have a negative impact on subjective well-being (SWB), which consists of satisfaction with life (SWL) and affective well-being (AWB); second, personal spirituality would positively predict SWB independently of stressors; and third, personal spirituality would moderate the relationship between stressors and SWB. Results showed that stressors predicted both dimensions of SWB and that personal spirituality significantly added to the prediction of SWL. Personal spirituality was also found to moderate the relationship between stressors and life satisfaction, accounting for a small yet significant portion of the variance. Personal spirituality is conceptualized as a useful resource among undergraduates for maintaining life satisfaction in the face of stressors. Questions are raised regarding the underlying mechanisms of the observed effects.
This study was a follow up investigation of Brawer et al.'s (Prof Psychol Res Pr 33(2):203-206, 2002) survey of education and training of clinical psychologists in religion/spirituality. Directors of clinical training were surveyed to determine whether changes had occurred in the coverage of religion and spirituality through course work, research, supervision, and in the systematic coverage of the content area. Results indicated an increased coverage in the areas of supervision, dedicated courses, inclusion as part of another course, and research. There was no increase in systematic coverage, but significantly more programs provided at least some coverage. The current study also assesses other areas of incorporation as well as directors' opinions regarding the importance of religion/spirituality in the field of psychology.
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