Impact of self-enhancement on spiritual orientation in young adults: An intervention study

Pages: 585-593
Sangeeta Trama and Shilpa Modi (Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala)

Spirituality is an awareness of life which enables us to think about life, who we are and where we come from (Mc Ewan, 2004). Spirituality is the feeling individuals have about the fundamental meaning of who they are, what they are doing, and the contributions they are making (Vaill, 1996). Spiritual beliefs, commitments, and practices appear to be related to such positive outcomes such as physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, positive interpersonal functioning, and enhanced quality of life (Emmons, 2000). No matter how life is right now, there is a part of the self who has all the knowledge and resources to change it. Self-enhancement is thought to be the foremost motive in the perpetual search for self-knowledge (Sedikides, 1993). To clear all the blockages which stop one from experiencing one’s true self, to explore the inner being, to access one’s highest potential, to learn more about oneself, and to know practical tools and techniques to change one’s life, is self-enhancement. While higher education focuses with new intensity on test scores, grades, persistence, and degrees, it has increasingly come to neglect students’ “inner” development the need of values and beliefs, moral development, spirituality, and self-understanding. The present study attempted to develop spiritual orientation in young adults with the help of self-enhancement training. In this study, 70 participants were identified out of a group of 200 participants who scored less on spiritual orientation. These young adults were female students studying in various colleges/universities in and around Patiala. Thereafter, self-enhancement training was rendered to the participants. An attempt was made to explore differences in young adults in areas of inner self-enhancement (viz., self-acceptance, positive emotions, emotion regulation, and mindfulness). t-test (for related samples) was applied to analyze the results. The paper highlights the role of adequate spiritual orientation right from an early age so that they can make the best use of their potential, and can be an asset for themselves, their families as well as the society.