Date of Award

11-1986

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between self concept and spirituality among 55 adult male Master of Divinity students, all of what attended Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. It is one part of a larger research project which addressed the issue of psychological adjustment in seminarians (1'tleller, 1986; Neder, 1985; Powers, 1985). The sample was given a demographic questionnaire, a self concept scale, and three operational measures of spirituality. These were the Tennessee Self Concept scale (TSCS), the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWB), the Spiritual Maturity Index (SMI), and the Religious Orientation scale (ROS) • The analysis of the data was prime=ily correlational in nature. Positive Pearson's correlations were found between the self perception subscales of the TSCS and SWB. Positive correlations were found been I and all TSCS self perception subscales except Personal Self. However, positive correlations were found between the ROS Intrinsic subscale (ROSI) and just ~ TSCS subscales. The lack of further relationships for the OOSI and the absence of relationship for the ROS Extrinsic subscale (ROSE) may reflect the attenuated range of scores for this sample. The conclusion of the study was that for this sample spirituality is positively related to a healthy self concept. Caution should be taken when making inferences to other populations. Research shows that Christians, like others, struggle with problems of poor self image. It is suggested that the church can play a significant role in developing positive self concept. This can be accomplished first through providing acceptance, forgiveness, and encouragement in the context of caring relationships and second by teaching biblical principles for living and encouraging righteous conduct.

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