Association of spiritual well-being with quality of life among undergraduate nursing students

Objective:The study was conducted with the aim of determining the spiritual well-being(SWB)of nursing students and its association with quality of life(QOL).Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted with a sample size of 504 nursing students collected from January 2023 to March 2023 in the nursing institutes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan,using convenient sampling techniques.A Spiritual Health and Life-Orientation Measure(SHALOM)questionnaire for SWB and K-27 QOL(K-27 QOL)instrument were used for data collection that contains three parts.Results:The number of female participants was in the majority(50.4%)compared to male nurses(49.6%).The overall mean score of SWB of the students was 3.79±0.48,while the mean K-27 QOL score was 3.73±0.57.There were significant differences between the groups of gender(P=0.001),while no significant difference within the groups of semester(P=0.061)and college status(0.285).In QOL,there were significant differences within the groups of semester(P=0.000)and college status(P=0.036)while no significant difference in gender category(P=0.480).SHALOM score is positively and moderately correlated with QOL score(r=0.597,P<0.05).Conclusion:Spiritual practices are one of the important factors that are associated positively with QOL,therefore to enhance the QOL,it will require spiritual practices.

A 32-Year Systematic Review:Exploring the State of Christian Spirituality and Mental Health Research

This study reviewed scholarly articles on the relationship between Christian spirituality and mental health published in academic journals from 1980 to 2022.The review analyzed findings from 44 studies that likely used various research methods like surveys,interviews,and experiments.The results reveal a consistent link between Christian beliefs,such as faith,hope,and love,and positive mental health outcomes.Most studies focused on the therapeutic effects of Christian spirituality in alleviating mental disturbances and improving well-being.However,the review also identified gaps in the literature,including a lack of research on the relationship between Christian spirituality and mental illness,small sample sizes,and a lack of cross-cultural and cross-religious investigations.The article emphasizes the importance of addressing these limitations to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between mental health and spirituality.

Exploring the Intersection of Spirituality and Religion:Transcendence,Secularism,and Personal Beliefs in Contemporary Society

This paper explores the intersection of spirituality and religion,focusing on how transcendence,secularism,and personal beliefs shape contemporary spiritual practices.It examines the philosophical foundations of transcendence,the rise of existentialism,and the distinction between spirituality and religion.Secularism's role in fostering personal spirituality and reducing religious authority is discussed,alongside the psychological and societal impacts of spiritual transcendence.The paper also critiques the limitations of spirituality,emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that integrates cognitive development and mental health perspectives.

From Ancient Rituals to Modern Spirituality:The Evolution and Personalization of Religious Experience

This paper explores the evolution of religious experience from ancient nature worship and ancestor reverence to modern individualized spirituality.It examines how early spiritual practices were deeply intertwined with daily life,later becoming institutionalized through formalized religions with complex rituals and doctrines.The rise of mysticism,emphasizing personal connections with the divine,persisted alongside institutional religions.In contemporary society,the shift towards"spiritual but not religious"reflects a return to personalized spiritual paths,driven by individualism and the desire for direct,meaningful spiritual experiences.This trend's implications for both individuals and society are also discussed.

The Black American Church: A Reactionary and Ideological Apparatus of Slavery

This work argues that Denmark Vesey,Nat Turner,Gabriel Prosser,David Walker,Henry Highland Garnet,amongst a few others were the reactionary(dialectical)exceptions to the black church,not the norm,an(ideological)institution established to interpellate and indoctrinate blacks to accept their conditions in slavery.In other words,the aforementioned were the enslaved who used Christian dogma to(negative dialectically)respond to the barbarity of slavery by violently convicting white Christian society for not living up to its values,ideas,and ideals given the treatment of African people by so-called Christians.In the latter sense it was reactionary;in the former,it was an ideological apparatus of domination and control for the institution of slavery.The contemporary attempt to racially vindicate the black church as a sui generis revolutionary institution overflowing with Africanisms is ahistorical and ideological reaped in pseudoscientific propositions stemming from postmodern and post-structural theories.

Spiritual Forests—A Nature Conservation Model of Ethnic Minority Communities in Central Viet Nam

This paper aims to analyze and evaluate a model of forest conservation and management of ethnic minority (or indigenous) people in central Vietnam, often referred to as the spiritual forest. These forests, called sacred forest or ghost forests by the ethnic minority people in Thua Thien Hue province, have existed for a long time among forest residents. However, they have recently declined, both in quality and quantity, due to various factors, including changes in society, economy, environment, and perception, among other reasons. Based on research conducted in A Luoi district, Thua Thien Hue province with household interviews, group discussions, and field surveys, we find that spiritual forest retains religious and human significance. They are also often among the last remaining natural forests left due to deforestation by human activities. The research results indicate challenges that conservation of spiritual forest may face, while giving recommendations derived from communities for sustainable forest development and conservation in the region.

Coping with Trauma:The Relationship between Religiosity,Spirituality,and Post-Traumatic Symptoms among Civilians Exposed to Ongoing Rocket-Fire

Living under ongoing shelling and missile attacks could cause a widespread of disruption of everyday life and emotional distress.Coping with such distress could be associated with the personal resources of religion and spirituality.The present study aimed to examine the relationships between religiosity and spirituality with Post Traumatic stress Disorder(PTSD)symptoms among a civilian population frequently exposed to missile and rocket threats.One hundred and twenty-four(N=124)civilian participants living within 10 km from shelling and missile attacks fired towards them,completed demographic,religiosity,spirituality,and PTSD questionnaires.The study findings demonstrate that religiosity is associated with higher levels of PTSD symptoms while spirituality is associated with lower levels of PTSD symptoms.When dividing the sample into two groupsreligious and secular,no association was found between religiosity and PTSD symptoms among the religious group,whereas among the secular group,there was a positive association.Spirituality was negatively associated with PTSD symptoms among both groups.This study may offer a significant contribution to models of intervention following continued exposure to trauma,emphasizing the importance of spiritually and sensitivity to religion while coping with PTSD symptoms.Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

From Spiritual Communication to Digital Communication:Rethinking Marx’s Communication Theory in the Information Age

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels introduced the theory of spiritual communication in their influential work,The German Ideology,thereby establishing the Marxist perspective on communication.This theory has a distinct historical context,meaning,and significance.As society advances,driven by the proliferation of commodity-based economies and advancements in science and technology,humanity has entered the digital information age.The prevailing mode of communication in this era,centered around the Internet and big data,brings great convenience to society but also raises concerns about the potential alienation of both subjective and objective aspects of communication,as well as social relationships.Against this backdrop,the rethinking of Marx’s communication theory in the 21st century provides a logical framework and theoretical basis for critiquing the contemporary form of spiritual communication through the digital communication of the information age.

Factors influencing spiritual wellbeing among pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients receiving chemotherapy

BACKGROUND Spiritual wellbeing emphasizes optimistic and positive attitudes while selfregulating negative emotions when coping with stress.However,there have only been a few small studies of spiritual wellbeing of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)patients undergoing chemotherapy.The core factors influencing spiritual wellbeing in this clinical population are still unclear.AIM To identify factors influencing spiritual wellbeing among patients with PDAC receiving chemotherapy.METHODS A total of 143 PDAC patients receiving chemotherapy were enrolled from January to December 2022.Patients completed general information questionnaires including:Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being 12 Item Scale(FACIT-Sp-12),European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30(EORTC QLQ-C30)and Zung’s Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS).Independent sample t-test,one-way analysis of variance,Pearson’s correlation analysis,and multiple linear regression analysis were adopted for statistical analyses.P<0.05(two-tailed)was considered statistically significant for all tests.RESULTS Total spiritual wellbeing(FACIT-Sp-12)score was 32.16±10.06 points,while dimension sub-scores were 10.85±3.76 for faith,10.55±3.42 for meaning,and 10.76±4.00 for peace.Total spiritual wellbeing score was negatively correlated with SAS score for anxiety and with the symptom domain of EORTC QLC-C30.Conversely,spiritual wellbeing score was positively correlated with global health status and EORTC QLQ-C30 role functioning domain score.Multivariate regression analysis identified educational level,health insurance category,symptom domain,functional role domain,and global health status as significant independent factors influencing spiritual wellbeing among PDAC patients undergoing chemotherapy(R2=0.502,P<0.05).CONCLUSION Individualized spiritual support is needed for PDAC patients.Health,daily functioning,emotional,cognitive,and social function status should be taken into account to promote implementation of spirituality in nursing practice.

The Contemplation for Mental Health: A Short Review—I

Research and results: Contemplative practises use positive electromagnetic vibrations to speed up mental health recovery, while spirituality and religion bring love, hope, happiness, and compassion. Self-transcendence increases cortisol and serotonin receptor binding, suppresses norepinephrine, and reduces mental health issues. Mental health professionals must respect preferences, record religious beliefs, provide spiritual materials, and encourage socialisation. Self-determination, autonomy, and choice should be prioritised in mental health care. This therapy’s significant, long-term, and undeniable effect is undisputed. Research purpose: To publicise mental health-promoting spiritual and religious practises. Methods and tools: The author, a psychologist with 20 years of introspective training, summarises the findings after being cured of psychopathology, with only the relevant insight points. “Contemplative Practice” is an integrated therapy for psychiatric patients and health care providers that promotes mental health through spiritual and religious activities. Self-analysis and, theoretically, a Google Scholar literature search help the author create the therapy. Result: The author develops a contemplative science research methodology. Conclusion: Positive psychology and metaphysical contemplation can miraculously improve mental health.

The Interpretation of Lawrence’s Poetry from the Perspective of Ecocriticism Theory

Based on ecocriticism theory,this paper is to conduct a comprehensive discussion of Lawrence’s poetry from three aspects:natural ecology,social ecology and spiritual ecology,to explore the profound ecological philosophical implications contained in Lawrence’s poetry,and to expand the breadth and depth of the ecocriticism interpretation of Lowe’s poetry research.

公共管理的认知科学研究:范式挑战与核心议题

如何以认知科学的范式进行公共管理研究,是关乎两个学科群的重大学术战略问题:包含6个学科的认知科学进入公共管理将极大地扩展公共管理的知识边界,但公共管理的组织—社会性也使认知科学的个体范式受到挑战。从国家逻辑看,公共管理是基于文化—政治理念诉求,以政府为主导的公共部门寻求政体合法性与有效性的管理活动,其范式不是个体理性的,而是价值情感—工具理性统合的组织、社会范式。故而,公共管理的认知科学研究的关键变量应转移至以spirituality为核心的文化、意识形态等信念变量,体现公共性的制度—道德的规则变量及利益诉求的理性最大化变量。二者交叉可能带来"认知科学的公共管理认知学"和"公共管理的公共管理认知学"两个路径与知识体。

Expression Forms of Spiritual Cultures in Classical Chinese Gardens

By studying close links between classical Chinese gardens and traditional Chinese cultures,it was stressed that spiritual characteristics pursued by classical Chinese gardens were inevitable components of their expression forms,which were also closely related to classical Chinese philosophy,social system and other cultural phenomena.Characteristics of classical Chinese gardens in terms of psychology were analyzed,and it was proposed that they had particular cultural connotations in the spiritual expression and appeal,that is,natural view of "human-nature oneness",etiquette culture of "coordinating with the nature by etiquette",seclusion view of "living in seclusion and pursuing a peaceful life".Concrete expressions of spiritual cultures in classical Chinese gardens were discussed,specifically,the expression of natural views was demonstrated as "respecting the nature,all creatures having its own course(Tao,way of evolution),adopting measures suiting local conditions,skillfully borrowing from other landscapes,simulating natural landscapes";as for the expression of seclusion view,it was demonstrated as the expression of seclusion cultures by inscriptions and steles,the expression of "seclusion" by implicit garden settings;etiquette and hierarchy of classical Chinese gardens were discussed from the perspective of private garden layout and residence construction.On this basis,spiritual world of ancient Chinese were further stu-died,mental patterns of Chinese were believed as the source of classical gardens,and what those hills,water,plants,architecture as well as their combinations expressed were spiritual pursuits of Chinese people.

Wisdom of Spirit:The Heroic Images and Artistic Characteristics of The Old Man and The Sea

The Old Man and The Sea is a masterpiece of the unyielding man:Hemingway.Being distinguished from many greatest American writers,Hemingway is noted for his writing style.Among all his works,The Old Man and the Sea is a typical one which shows Hemingway's unique writing style and technique.The language is simple and natural on the surface,but actually deliberate and artificial.The heroic images of the old man are highly regarded by many writers and critics,the artistic characteristics of the novel make the work distinctive.This paper focuses mainly on the heroic images of the old man and artistic characteristics of the novel so as to help the readers get a better understanding of the work.

Research on Development of Architectural Culture in Meizhu Town,Anhui Province of China

From the perspective of formation,development and connotation of Wu-Yue cultures cultural characteristics of Wu-Yue architecture were systematically summarized as integrated architectural layout and water,proper combination of architecture,religion and culture,unified architectural language,elegant colors,plain building materials and exquisite craft;spiritual peculiarity of Wu-Yue Culture was concluded as inclusive and tolerant,simple but clever;practical and truthful,pioneering and self-transcending.Orientations for architectural style of Meizhu Town were proposed as orderly and rhythmic layouts,abandoning redundancy and pursuing concision,elegant and comfortable,natural and harmonious,proper innovations.

The Study on Renovation of Huanglang Village in Ma Lake Scenic Area Based on Tourism

By taking Ma Lake Scenic Area of Leibo County in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture for example, based on field study and the general situation of villages, the paper had analyzed environmental characteristics of Huanglang Village, including the village's history and ethnic customs, landscape resources and environmental ecological quality, and village spatial pattern feature. It had concluded existing problems of villages' construction in tourism development of scenic area, and discussed renovation measures of Huanglang Village from physical and spiritual aspects. On the one hand, villages' physical environment could be renovated through integrating spatial layout pattern of villages, renovating architectural appearance and completing basic facilities. On the other hand, natural landscape and leisure culture could be combined through exploring the culture of Brasenia schreberi and creating comfortable psychological environment of South China, so that tourists could experience good psychological atmosphere, further promoting the healthy and sustainable development of tourism in Huanglang Village.

Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter

This essay mainly focuses on one of the main characters in the novel The Scarlet LetterHester Prynne. The author fully analyze the heroine from different angles.

An Analysis of the Spiritual Salvation of Adela in A Passage to India

This paper mainly analyzes the spiritual salvation of the protagonist Adela in the novel. In the early 20 thcentury, India is under the British colonial rule and Indians suffer a lot from it. India lacks autonomy and there is a wide racial gap between the British and Indians. In this context, Adela has deeply-rooted prejudice against Indians at first, whose discrimination makes her falsely accuse Aziz of attempting to rape her. However, merging into the Indian society gives Adela a chance to see the goodness of Indians, and finally her racial prejudice is eliminated.

Eternal Nature: Spiritual Haven——The Function of Nature in Rip Van Winkle

Rip Van Winkle is one of the most enduring stories of Washington Irving. It is a fantasy tale about a man who somehow "stepped outside of the mainstream of life" (Chang Yao-xin, 1991: 62). Rip Van Winkle lived in a village near the Hudson River north of New York City. He was a simple, good-natured man; he was, moreover, a kind neighbor and an obedient hen-pecked husband. Yet Rip was lazy and this kept him in constant trouble with his wife. His two favorite past-times were sitting in front of the inn, chatting with his friends, and wandering through the mountains with his dog, Wolf. On one of these trips he met a strange dwarf who invited him to join him and other strange-looking dwarfs in a drinking party and a game called nine-pins, in a remote valley. Rip drank too much of beverage and fell asleep. When he woke up, he found that during just one night, twenty years had vanished and strangers were everywhere. His scolding wife had died, and his son, every bit his counterpart in appearance and personality had grown up to replace him. At last he was reunited with a married daughter and began to live a life the same as before.

A Way to Rootedness: Traveling in Tender Is the Night

Traveling is one major theme of Fitzgerald's novel Tender Is the Night. This fashionable activity for the 1920 s Americans is represented in the novel as ostensibly bearing different meanings to the main characters, but a deeper look would reveal that it is unanimously resorted to as a weapon against the spiritual barrenness caused by the cult of business, and more importantly, as a way to the experience of rootedness.