Exploring the relationship between spiritual well-being and psychological well-being among religious sisters in Vietnam

• Main Author: Nguyen, Bao Uyen, Sr.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2016
• Subjects: Well-being > Religious aspects; Nuns > Vietnam; Educational Psychology; Religion
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_doctoral/492
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study explored the relationship between spiritual well-being and psychological well-being among religious sisters in Vietnam. In order to achieve breadth and depth in the understanding of this phenomenon, the researcher employed the explanatory sequential mixed method design. 271 sisters (135 novices and 136 senior sisters) completed questionnaires about spiritual well-being and psychological well-being, 10 novices and 10 senior sisters were then selected for in-depth interviews. The results of regression analyses showed that overall spiritual well-being is a significant predictor of psychological well-being among the sisters. Personal component of spiritual well-being alone and environmental well-being of spiritual well-being alone were significant predictors of psychological well-being among novices and senior sisters respectively. The interviews substantiated these results. It further revealed that Transcendental and communal component of spiritual well-being still appears in the picture of the relationship between spiritual well-being and psychological well-being among the sisters. These components, however, manifested itself in different ways among the novices and the senior sisters. The findings specifically showed that the experience of spiritual well-being within the personal component benefits personal growth, environmental control, self-acceptance, purpose in life and emotional stability among the novices. The experience of spiritual well-being in environmental component, on the other hand, benefits peace of mind, self-acceptance and others-acceptance, increased ability of problem solving skills, increased happiness and a better physical health among senior sisters. The implications of the study for religious sisters, for counseling practice and for future research have discussed.