EFFECTS OF READING SCRIPTURE AND HAVING A DAILY 1
Effects of Reading Scripture and Having a Daily Spiritual Experience
Psyc 515: Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology II
EFFECTS OF READING SCRIPTURE AND HAVING A DAILY 2
Results
40 participants were recruited from author’s church and job, but only 20
participants were surveyed for the study. aa The following demographics were reported for
the 20 participants: Biological Sex (male or female), Age and Martial Status. The study
contained 50% male and 50% females. 20 adults completed the survey aged 25-62
[M=5.33; S= 22.64].
The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between reading
scripture and having a Daily Spiritual experience (DES). As shown in Table 1, a
Pearson’s r correlation revealed there is no statistically significant relationship between
reading scripture and having a Daily Spiritual Experience (DES), r (18) = 0.022, p >.464
(one-tailed). The null hypothesis is rejected; .05% of the variation in daily spiritual
experience is accounted for by reading scripture. aa There is no relationship between
reading scripture and having a daily spiritual experience (DES), see Figure 1.
Table 1
Pearson’s r correlation for Daily Spiritual Experience (DES) and Reading Scripture
EFFECTS OF READING SCRIPTURE AND HAVING A DAILY 3
Figure 1
Scatterplot for Reading Scripture and Daily Spiritual Experience (DES)
Note. Reading scripture scores were measured from 0-60, 0 representing no minutes
and 60 representing 60min and the max. DSE was averaged and ranged from 1-6,
with higher values indicating a DES. There is no relationship between reading
scripture and having a daily spiritual experience (DES).
Discussion
This study sought to answer the question does reading scripture have an impact
on a daily spiritual experience (DES) by examining the relationship between the two.
Based on statistical analysis there was no relationship found between the variables. The
data revealed that it doesn’t matter the amount of time spent reading scripture a daily
spiritual experience (DES) can still happen.
EFFECTS OF READING SCRIPTURE AND HAVING A DAILY 4
Qomaruddin & Indawati (2018) research suggest that in a society where so many
people are in a sense lost or seeking guidance, the relationship with God is extremely
important to experiencing a DES. However, these are not the results experience in the
current study conducted. Konening and colleagues noticed that people who had low
relationship God was also low on their DES, thus providing that they could room for
experience is having a higher DES (Koening et al, 2016). However, neither study
mentioned measured how reading scripture impacted a DES, although DES was
developed in other ways. However, this is good for the field as it provides multiple
resources that will aide in the achievement of a higher DES.
Reading scripture matters to the field because this a way as a to be able to
provide research on what factors impact a daily spiritual experience within the
population. Knowing these factors are crucial on how address social issues within the
field of psychology and what resources are beneficial. Reading scripture allows for an
understanding of God’s word but more importantly his character. Reading scripture
should be inclusive to rereading the same chapter, versus, and parables to obtain deep
perspective (Muto, 2012). How can a spiritual experience be experienced without
knowing the character of God who the experience is meant to happen with?
The question above leaves for room in the field to study more in debt the DES
through an actual relationship and dare it be said an intimate relationship God.
Deepening the research of a person’s relationship with God may be able to provide
accurate results when it comes to measuring a person’s DES. In addition, another
variable to measure can be the comprehension of reading scripture versus only reading
scripture. As comprehension provides more detailed information of understanding the
EFFECTS OF READING SCRIPTURE AND HAVING A DAILY 5
information presented. It would be interesting to see the results of this study as it is
more in depth and detailed and using the full version of the DES.
References
Koenig, H. G., Pearce, M. J., Nelson, B., & Erkanli, A. (2016). Effects on daily
spiritual
experiences of religious versus conventional cognitive behavioral therapy for
depression.
Journal of Religious Health, 55 (5), 1763-1777. DOI:10.1007/s10943-016-0270-3
Muto, S. (2012). The art and discipline of formative reading: Revisiting holy scripture
with
humble receptivity. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, 5(1), 100-116.
https://doi.org/10.1177/193979091200500106
Qomaruddin, M. B. & Indawati, R. (2018). Spiritual everyday experience of religious
people.
Journal of International Dental and Medical Research,12 (2), 823-827.
