Abstract
Spirituality is one aspect to consider given the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the number of in-depth qualitative studies on spirituality-related issues and experiences is limited. The present study investigated the spiritual problems and experiences of students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was carried out with 342 Muslim students undertaking a distance education program at a state university in Turkey. The study was carried out using the non-probability sampling method. The data was collected using Qualtrics through a questionnaire consisting of open-ended questions related to spirituality during COVID-19. The data was analyzed using MAXQDA. The findings consisted of three categories, including spirituality during the pandemic, attitudes and behaviors related to the pandemic with a focus on spirituality, and feelings and thoughts about spirituality during the pandemic. There were fourteen subcategories, including resilience, meaning of life, coping mechanisms, acceptance, doubts, cleanliness, solidarity, risky behaviors, digitalization, religious rituals, inner peace, death, emotions, and hope. To meet the spiritual needs of students, it can be recommended to provide a suitable place for worship, to maintain the relations of individuals with religious centers and to direct them to spiritual counseling services.
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08 July 2023
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Cengiz Kılıç, Veli Duyan, and Mustafa Karataş]. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Merve Deniz Pak Güre and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. An application was made to Atatürk University Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee and necessary permissions were obtained (Ethics Committee Meeting Date: 17.05.2021, Meeting Decision no:107).
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Kılıç, C., Pak Güre, M.D., Karataş, M. et al. Seeking New Meaning in the Shadow of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Research of Spiritual Issues and Experiences among Students in Turkish Society. J Relig Health 62, 2947–2965 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01850-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01850-3