Spirituality in Psychology: Theory and Practice

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:2.00

Study Course Accepted:08.04.2024 08:53:22

Study Course Information
Course Code:		SZF_120		LQF level:		Level 6
Credit Points:		2.00		ECTS:		3.00
Branch of Science:		Psychology; Psychology of Personality		Target Audience:		Psychology
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Sandra Mihailova
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		6	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		12
Classes (count)		8	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		16
Total Contact Hours								28
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Basic knowledge of psychology.
Objective:
The aim of the study course is to develop an understanding of spirituality in psychology that emerges from contemporary discourse on the given topic. Provide knowledge about the history and development of the concept of spirituality until today. Develop professional competence through spiritual practice.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Spirituality in psychology; The role and understanding of the dimensions and aspects of spirituality from a psychological perspective. Spirituality in a psychologist's practice: Methods as a way of growth; as moral qualities.			Lectures		2.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		2.00	E-Studies platform
2	The concept of spirituality, definitions; Historical context, paradigms and development. The concept of spirituality today, features of modern spirituality. Diversity of understanding of spirituality; interaction between psychology and religion.			Lectures		2.00	E-Studies platform
3	Spirituality in psychology; Integrating spiritual practice into psychology. Spiritual practices as a resource. Types of spiritual practices, their application, methods, challenges.			Lectures		2.00	E-Studies platform
				Classes		2.00	E-Studies platform
4	Final class - presentation of reports.			Classes		4.00	E-Studies platform
Assessment
Unaided Work:
In order to learn the content of the study course, according to the teacher's instructions, students have to: • study the presentations prepared by the lecturer, the materials posted in e-learning environment and read the mandatory literature; • prepare one report-type written work on the 1st and 2nd topics of the study course, supplementing them with insights from scientific publications; write a self-reflection on the use of spiritual practices; must prepare and pass the exam. In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
Assessment Criteria:
• submitted and successfully passed the independent written work, the report (30% of the total assessment); • self-reflection on the daily performance of spiritual practice tasks (10%); • presentation of the report (30% of the total assessment); • examination (30%).
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Upon successful completion of the study course students will have acquired knowledge about: • the history and stages of development of the concept of spirituality; • modern view of spirituality in the discipline of psychology, its theory and practical application, taking advantage of giving students the opportunity to get acquainted with various aspects of the spiritual dimension.
Skills:		Upon successful completion of the study course, students will be able to: • Recognise, evaluate and use the spiritual practices learned in the study process.
Competencies:		Upon completion of the study course, students will be able to independently orient themselves in both theoretical and basic practical issues of spiritual psychology.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Bozek, A., Nowak, P.F., & Blukacz, M. (2020). The Relationship Between Spirituality, Health-Related Behavior, and Psychological Well-Being. Front Psychol. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01997. PMID: 32922340; PMCID: PMC7457021
2	Garssen, B., Visser, A., & Pool, G. (2021). Does spirituality or religion positively affect mental health? Meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 31(1), 4–20.
3	Mārtinsone, K. (2021). Pašpalīdzības un pašvadības iespēju arsenāls krīzes un transformāciju laikā: metodes ikvienam. Rīga: RSU, 2021. 149 lpp.
4	Sargeant, S., & Yoxall, J. (2023). Psychology and Spirituality: Reviewing Developments in History, Method and Practice. doi: 10.1007/s10943-022-01731-1. Epub 2023 Jan 11. PMID: 36630056; PMCID: PMC10042744
5	Vieten, C., Lukoff, D. (2022). Spiritual and religious competencies in psychology. Am Psychol. 2022 Jan;77(1):26-38. doi: 10.1037/amp0000821.
6	Vieten, C., Pilato, R., & Lukoff, D. (2013). Spiritual and Religious Competencies for Psychologists. American Psychological Association, Vol. 5, No. 3, 129 –144 1941-1022/13/$12.00 DOI: 10.1037/a0032699
7	Varghese, S., Florentin, O.D., Koola, M.M. (2021). Role of Spirituality in the Management of Major Depression and Stress-Related Disorders. Chronic Stress (Thousand Oaks). doi: 10.1177/2470547020971232. PMID: 33506156; PMCID: PMC7812390.
Additional Reading
1	Abrams, Z. (2023). Can religion and spirituality have a place in therapy? Experts say yes
2	de Brito Sena, M.A., Damiano, R.F., & Peres, M.F.P. (2021). Defining Spirituality in Healthcare: A Systematic Review and Conceptual Framework. Front Psychol. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.756080. PMID: 34867654; PMCID: PMC8637184.
3	Saad, M., Drysdale, E., Maraldi, E. (2022). Editorial: Spirituality and Mental Health: Exploring the Meanings of the Term “Spiritual” Front. Psychol. Consciousness Research Volume 13.
4	Sargeant, S., Yoxall, J. (2023). Psychology and Spirituality: Reviewing Developments in History, Method and Practice. J Relig Health.
5	Snapp, M., Hare, L. (2021). The Role of Spiritual Care and Healing in Health Management. Adv Mind Body Med. Winter; 35(1):4-8. PMID: 33513580.
Other Information Sources
1	Frontiers in Psychology
2	PubMed
3	American Psychological Association (APA)