An Attempt to Achieve Holistic Health by Improving Spiritual, Emotional, and Psychological Wellbeing: A Clinical...

Spirituality is an important fourth dimension of health. Spiritual wellbeing is a subconstruct of spirituality and an important contributor to overall wellbeing. Health cannot be conceived as "holistic" without including "spiritual wellbeing." The researchers attempt to look at the effects of an Eastern spirituality-based intervention on spiritual, emotional, and psychological wellbeing to achieve holistic health.

A total of 140 participants were randomized to attend either 6 "spirituality" sessions (1 session each week) or "usual care" pseudo sessions. The outcome parameters were measured pre- and postintervention. The spiritual wellbeing was measured by Spiritual Wellbeing Scale (SWBS) and WHO quality of life: spirituality, religiousness, and personal beliefs scale (WHOQOL-SRPB). Emotional wellbeing was measured by Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and psychological wellbeing by WHO-5 Wellbeing Scale. Repeated measures ANOVA tests were used for statistical analysis.

The spirituality sessions improved the SWBS scores (treatment effect size: medium, ηp² = 0.1253) and WHOQOL-SRPB scores (treatment effect size: small, ηp² = 0.04952) significantly. In addition, DASS-21 scores: S stress (treatment effect size: medium, ηp² = 0.09784), A anxiety (treatment effect size: medium, ηp² = 0.08542), and D depression (treatment effect size: medium, ηp² = 0.0761), and WHO-5 wellbeing scores (treatment effect size: medium, ηp² = 0.112) also improved.

An Eastern spirituality-based intervention improved the spiritual, emotional, and psychological wellbeing of Indian participants. Addressing spiritual wellbeing will help one toward achieving the goal of "holistic" health. Future studies will help to corroborate the results.