Effects of the East Asian Pastoral Institute community experience on personal growth

• Main Author: Hsu, Hua-Ying
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1994
• Subjects: Interpersonal communication; Personality development; Group relations training; Christian communities; Counseling
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/1624
• Institution: De La Salle University

This is an evaluation of the effects of the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) Community Experience on personal growth. This study employed a combination of quasi-experimental and descriptive design. Majority of the 28 subjects were religious. Data were obtained by administering several psychological tests such as Personal Orientation Inventory (POI), Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior (FIRO-B), and the Interpersonal Communication Inventory (ICI). The t-test for correlated samples was used to analyze the data. The survey content analysis was also employed. The findings revealed that self-expression and self-acceptance did not change significantly after attending the EAPI community experience. Interpersonal communication also had no significant change. Statistically, significant changes were obtained on the capacity for intimate contact, and ability to cooperate with others, i.e., synergy. The benefits derived by the participants were an understanding of the self and improved relationships. The main problem encountered by the participants was on interpersonal communication. The most useful activity in promoting personal growth was the small group setting. As a whole, results showed that the EAPI community experience did not pose a considerable effect in promoting personal growth.