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Spiritual Maturity and Social Support in a National Study of a Male Religious Order

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This national study analyzed the relationship of spiritual maturity and valued relationships with social support and life satisfaction using a random sample of male religious from one Roman Catholic order (N = 251). Four measures were used: (a) NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI; Costa & McCrae, 1992), (b) Spiritual Maturity Index (SMI; Ellison, 1983), (c) Social Support Appraisals Scale (SS-A; Vaux, et al., 1986), and (d) Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS; Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985). Hierarchical regression results showed that Spiritual Maturity was a significant predictor of Perceived Social Support (F (1, 237) = 20.662, p ≤ .001) and Life Satisfaction (F(1, 237) = 13.205, p ≤ .001). The study also showed that valued relationships inside (versus outside) the order predicted Life Satisfaction (F(1, 236) = 4.722, p ≤ .05). These findings demonstrate the importance of spiritual development and peer relationships as a way of enhancing vocational stability and satisfaction in male religious.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. James P. Froehlich is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Ph.D. candidate in Pastoral Counseling, Loyola College in Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, US

    James P. Froehlich Ph.d.

  2. Geraldine M. Fialkowski is a professor in Pastoral Counseling, Loyola College in Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, US

    Geraldine M. Fialkowski

  3. N. J. Scheers is an adjunct professor in Pastoral Counseling, Loyola College in Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, US

    N. J. Scheers

  4. Peter C. Wilcox is an adjunct professor in Pastoral Counseling, Loyola College in Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, US

    Peter C. Wilcox

  5. Richard T. Lawrence, is pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church, Baltimore, Maryland, US

    Richard T. Lawrence

  6. LCPC, c/o Province of Saint Augustine, 220 37th St, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15201-1825, US

    James P. Froehlich Ph.d.

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  1. James P. Froehlich Ph.d.
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  2. Geraldine M. Fialkowski
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  3. N. J. Scheers
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  4. Peter C. Wilcox
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Correspondence to James P. Froehlich Ph.d..

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Froehlich, J., Fialkowski, G., Scheers, N. et al. Spiritual Maturity and Social Support in a National Study of a Male Religious Order. Pastoral Psychol 54, 465–478 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-005-0011-0

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