The Association Between Spiritual Well-Being and Clergy Sexual Misconduct

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study sought to determine if there was a difference in the level of spiritual well-being in Lutheran clergy who self-reported committing sexual misconduct and those who self-reported not having committed sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct was defined as any activity in which a clergyperson, single or married, engaged in sexual behavior (sexual intercourse, kissing, touching or hugging with sexual intent, use of sexually explicit language) with a parishioner, client, or employee of the church (Francis & Turner, 1995). The results indicated that the proportion of clergy who self-reported having committed sexual misconduct had significantly lower levels of spiritual well-being as measured by the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (Ellison & Smith, 1991) than clergy who self-reported not having committed sexual misconduct. Other demographic information are also measured and compared.