The role of spiritual and psychological development in the cross-cultural adjustment of missionaries

Authors: Lewis Hall, M. Elizabeth; Edwards, Keith J.; Hall, Todd W.

Source: Mental Health, Religion & Culture, Volume 9, Number 2, April 2006 , pp. 193-208(16)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The present study investigated the relationship between spiritual development, and both psychological development and cross-cultural adjustment in a group of missionaries. It was hypothesized that spiritual development would be positively related to psychological development as viewed from a relational psychodynamic perspective. It was also hypothesized that spiritual development would be positively related to psychological and sociocultural cross-cultural adjustment, and that it would contribute to the variance of adjustment above and beyond the contributions made by psychological development. One hundred and eighty-one missionaries living in 46 countries completed a questionnaire assessing these variables. Results supported the main hypotheses, and revealed a significant interaction between psychological development and spiritual development in predicting psychological adjustment. Implications for the study of psychological and spiritual development, as well as for the spiritual care of missionaries, are discussed.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13694670500355262

Affiliations: 1: Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University, La Mirada, USA

Publication date: 2006-04-01

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