Research by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) psychologist raises questions over the supposed benefits of spiritual experiences, suggesting past research may have been overly-generous in attributing wellbeing effects to spirituality.A study* recently published in the Australian Journal of Psychology by lecturer and researcher, Dr James Schuurmans-Stekhoven, from the CSU School of Psychology in Bathurst, argues that spirituality might be the coincidental by-product of a positive disposition, on the one hand, and susceptibility to perceptual aberrations (hallucinations) on the other.
Dr Schuurmans-Stekhoven contests the often claimed ‘belief-as-benefit’ effect and questions the validity of frequently used measures of spirituality. His work suggests that being virtuous, not spiritual, provides a truer prediction of wellbeing.
“Although most previous research demonstrates spirituality-faith and wellbeing are positively associated, the evidence does not withstand scrutiny,” he said.
“On closer inspection considerable methodological problems that undermine the credibility of the results become evident.”
Dr Schuurmans-Stekhoven’s own research has investigated the relationship between spirituality, wellbeing and virtues such as love and kindness because, “After all, atheists can be kind too”.
“In Australia, I found the same association found in the US; that is, on its own, spirituality appears to relate to wellbeing,” he said.
“However, if virtues are also allowed to explain wellbeing, the spirituality effect disappears; being virtuous, not spiritual, predicts wellbeing, and in some cases spirituality actually predicts lower wellbeing.”
Dr Schuurmans-Stekhoven suggests it might be wellbeing that encourages spirituality, rather than the other way around.
“Maybe being predisposed to being happy makes us more susceptible to believing in supernatural explanations.
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