10.2190/JYTL-20YR-VXAL-4ACN JYTL20YRVXAL4ACN 237 SPIRITUALITY AS A MEDIATOR OF STRESS IN A UNIVERSITY STRESS MANAGEMENT COURSE 237 253 20050316 20050316 20050316 20050316 JYTL20YRVXAL4ACN.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=JYTL20YRVXAL4ACN 3 MELISSA MCGEE PH.D. LIZA NAGEL PH.D. MEIGHAN K. MOORE B.S. University of Arizona University of New Mexico University of Arizona The relationship between spiritual health and perceived stress was studied using a nonequivalent control group design with a Treatment Group (n = 60) and a Comparison Group (n = 55). Participants from a southwestern University were enrolled in two upper-division Stress Management courses: a spirituality-enhanced curricula (Treatment) or a traditional curricula (Comparison). The Spirituality Assessment Scale and the Lifestyle Appraisal Questionnaire (part II) tested the research hypotheses. Pearson's r-test revealed high levels of spiritual health significantly correlated with low levels of perceived stress (r = -.355, p < .01). While participants in the Treatment group exhibited no significant difference in perceived stress scores at post-test from those in the Comparison group, participants in both groups demonstrated significantly lower perceived stress scores from pre- to post-test (t = 4.396, df = 39, p < .01; t = 3.467, df = 44, p < .01). Findings suggest that a traditional stress management curriculum may be equally effective in reducing levels of stress as one aimed at fostering spiritual health. Chandler, C. K., Holden, J. M., & Kolander, C. A. (1992). Counseling for spiritual wellness: Theory and practice. Journal of Counseling & Development, 71(2), 168-175. Craig, A., Hancock, K., & Craig, M. (1996). The Lifestyle Appraisal Questionnaire: A comprehensive assessment of health and stress. Psychology and Health, 11, 331-343. Eberst, R. M. (1984). Defining health: A multidimensional model. Journal of School Health, 54(3), 99-104. Fehring, R., Brennan, P., & Keller, M. (1987). Psychological and spiritual well-being in college students. Research in Nursing & Health, 10, 391-398. Howden, J. W. (1992). Development and psychometric characteristics of the spirituality assessment scale. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Denton: Texas Woman's University. Kaczorowski, J. M. (1989). Spiritual well-being and anxiety in adults diagnosed with cancer. Hospice Journal, 5(3/4), 105-116. Klerrnan, G. L., & Weissman, M. M. (1989). Increasing rates of depression. Journal of the American Medical Association, 261, 2229-2235. Koenig, H. G. (1993). The relationship between Judeo-Christian religion and mental health among middle-aged and older adults. Advances, Journal of Mind-Body Health, 9(4), 33-38. McGee, M., Nagel, L., & Moore, M. (2003). A study of university classroom strategies aimed at increasing spirituality. College Student Journal, 37(4), 583-594. Osman, J., & Russell, R. (1979). The spiritual aspects of health. Journal of School Health, 49, 359. Schafer, W. E. (1997). Religiosity, spirituality, and personal distress among college students. Journal of College Student Development, 38, 633-644. Seaward, B. L. (1997). Stand like mountain, flow like water: Reflections on stress and human spirituality (p. 4). Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, Inc. Simon, R. (1989). The spiritual program--Its importance for mental health. Studies in Formative Spiritualily, 10(2), 157-170. Swanson, C. S. (1995). A spirit-focused conceptual model of nursing for the advanced practice nurse. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 18, 267-275. Sweeney, T. J., & Witmer, J. M. (1991). Beyond social interest: Striving toward optimwn health and wellness. Individual Psychology, 47(4), 527-540. World Health Organization. (1958). Constitution of the World Health Organization, Annex 1. In The First Ten Years of the World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization. Adams, T. B., Bezner, J. R., Drabbs, M. E., Zainbarano, R. J., & Steinhardt, M. A. (2000). Conceptualization and measurement of the spiritual and psychological dimensions of wellness in a college population. Journal of American College Health, 18(4), 165-173. Aldridge, D. (1993). Is there evidence for spiritual healing? Advances, Journal of Mind-Body Health, 2(4), 4-21. Banks, R. (1980). Health and the spiritual dimension: Relationships and implications for professional preparation programs. Journal of School Health, 50, 195-202. Banks, R. L., Poehler, D. L., & Russell, R. D. (1984). Spirit and human-spiritual interaction as a factor in health and in health education. Health Education, 15(5), 16-18.