Maturity in Self and Psycho-Spiritual Well-Being

AbstractUsing Jungian model of human development, the question of emotional maturity in relation to psycho-spiritual well-being was explored in the sample of 500 adult population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The sample was composed of 262 men (52.4%) and 238 women (47.6%), whose age ranged from 17 to 47 with the mean age of 26.05 ± 6.381. Two main measures were utilized in this study, the Pearson-Marr Archetypal Indicator (to measure the degree of maturity in self) and Spiritual Well-being Scale (to measure existential and religious well-being). The results were discussed in terms of hypotheses involving the meditating role of the archetypes in psychological maturity and psycho-spiritual well-being. The evidence implicating psychological maturity in determining religiosity, spirituality and wellbeing was compelling. Most of the secondary predictions were confirmed. As predicted, psychologically mature respondents obtained higher scores on all measures of spiritual well-being. Spiritual poverty apparently resulted when a respondent's major identification was with the lower levels of personal growth. Moreover, neurotic tendencies significantly reduced with psychological maturity and religious participation. These results confirm the importance of psychological maturity for psycho-spiritual health.Keywords: Personal growth, Spirituality, Maturity, Religiosity, Ego, Soul, Spirit, ArchetypesIntroductionSpiritual health and maturity are different goals but are closely related. There is sufficient consensus among counselors and health care providers that maturity in self is significant to optimal human functioning. Maturity in self is important, and it seems likely that absence of it may contribute to a variety of psychological maladies. Various researchers (e.g. Westenberg & Block, 1993; Loevinger, 1997; Frankl, 1962) argued for much stronger conclusion-that development in self is essential to realize spiritual aspects of human nature. Ivtzan, Chan, Gardner & Prashar (2011) who equated psychological maturity with sense of completeness or wholeness in personality which is required to integrate social, psychological, and spiritual aspects of human development.Although therapeutic utility of religion has been extensively documented yet very few studies recognize the risk factors associated to practicing religion without psychological maturity (Emmons & Paloutzian, 2003). Practicing religion without maturity can harm the great cause of religions. Although, reviews conclude that religiousness has been found to be related to positive traits such as kindness, compassion, forgiveness (Peterson & Seigman, 2004) and hope that provides buffer against depression and anxiety but a religions demeanor of immature individuals is associated with intolerance, prejudice towards members of outgroups, torture and extremism. Therefore, in the present research, it is argued with merit that maturity in 'Self' is necessary for practicing religion as without it one cannot achieve the same level of well-being as those who practice religion with considerable self maturity.The recognition of personality for both religious and spiritual well-being is less documented in literature. Qualities associated to maturity in self provide individuals with a greater repertoire of skills and enhance behavioral flexibility due to which they can successfully draw benefits from personal, cultural and even religious recourses.An extensive review, however, is available on a variety of mechanisms through which religion is favorable on psychological health (Hilll & Pargament, 2003). Latest researchers (e.g., Dambrun & Ricard, 2011; Plotkin, 2008; Seaward, 2011) have clearly delineated the importance of spiritual experiences for well being. In support to this various clinical studies (e.g., Johnson et al., 2000; Johnson et al., 2001; Greenberg, 2000) explained that lack of spiritual experiences may lead to social and psychological abnormality. …