Assessing the Impact of the Way of Saint James on Psychological Distress and Subjective Well-being: The Ultreya Study

IF 3.1 2区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Journal of Happiness Studies Pub Date : 2024-10-03 DOI:10.1007/s10902-024-00820-0

A. Feliu-Soler, E. Royuela-Colomer, J. Navarrete, N. N. Jørgensen, M. Mariño, M. Demarzo, J. Soler, J. García-Campayo, J. Montero-Marín, J. V. Luciano

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Abstract

This study aimed to examine the impact of a pilgrimage on the Way of St. James on psychological distress and subjective well-being, and to compare these outcomes with a control group on non-pilgrimage vacations. Additionally, the study explored psychological process variables that may mediate the pilgrimage's beneficial effects. A nonrandomized pretest-posttest design was used, involving 444 pilgrims and 124 controls. Participants completed baseline and post-experience self-reported measures of psychological distress, subjective well-being, and psychological processes (i.e., mindfulness, nonattachment, engaged living). A 3-month follow-up was conducted only in the pilgrim group. Mediation analyses examined psychological processes as potential mediators of pre-post change in the pilgrim group (vs. control). Within-group analyses revealed that the pilgrim group experienced improvements in psychological distress, subjective well-being, and psychological processes immediately post-experience, with most measures sustaining improvement at the 3-month follow-up. Compared to the control group, pilgrims showed significantly greater increases in positive affect, life satisfaction, and valued living, alongside greater reductions in anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. Valued living partially mediated the relationship between pilgrimage and positive affect, and fully mediated the effects on perceived stress, negative affect, life satisfaction, and subjective happiness. Pilgrimage on the Way of St. James effectively reduced psychological distress and enhanced subjective well-being, with greater benefits observed compared to a non-pilgrimage vacation control group. Consistent with the concept of pilgrimage as a transformative experience, significant improvements in valued living were noted, which mediated some of the positive outcomes post-pilgrimage. The Way of St. James may serve as a valuable complementary approach for alleviating distress and promoting well-being. Further studies exploring the effects of this pilgrimage on specific populations and using more robust study designs are warranted.

Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT04141813.

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评估圣雅各布之道对心理压力和主观幸福感的影响：圣雅各福群会研究

本研究旨在探讨圣雅各福群会朝圣之旅对心理困扰和主观幸福感的影响，并将这些结果与非朝圣假期的对照组进行比较。此外，该研究还探讨了可能对朝圣的有益影响起中介作用的心理过程变量。研究采用了非随机的前测-后测设计，共有 444 名朝圣者和 124 名对照组参加。参与者完成了基线和体验后的心理困扰、主观幸福感和心理过程（即正念、不依恋、参与生活）的自我报告测量。只对朝圣者组进行了为期 3 个月的跟踪调查。调解分析研究了朝圣者组（与对照组相比）的心理过程作为前后变化的潜在调解因素。组内分析表明，朝圣者组在体验后的第一时间在心理困扰、主观幸福感和心理过程方面都有所改善，大多数指标在三个月的随访中都保持了改善。与对照组相比，朝圣者在积极情绪、生活满意度和珍视生活方面都有显著提高，同时在焦虑、抑郁和感知压力方面也有较大降低。有价值的生活部分调节了朝圣与积极情绪之间的关系，并完全调节了对感知压力、消极情绪、生活满意度和主观幸福感的影响。圣雅各福群会朝圣之旅有效地减轻了心理压力，提高了主观幸福感，与非朝圣度假对照组相比，观察到的益处更大。与朝圣作为一种转变性体验的概念相一致，朝圣后，人们的生活价值也得到了显著提高，这对朝圣后的一些积极结果起到了中介作用。圣雅各布之路 "可以作为一种有价值的补充方法，用于减轻痛苦和促进幸福。我们有必要进一步开展研究，探索朝圣活动对特定人群的影响，并采用更稳健的研究设计。

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来源期刊

Journal of Happiness Studies Multiple-

CiteScore

8.60

自引率

6.50%

发文量

110

期刊介绍： The international peer-reviewed Journal of Happiness Studies is devoted to theoretical and applied advancements in all areas of well-being research. It covers topics referring to both the hedonic and eudaimonic perspectives characterizing well-being studies. The former includes the investigation of cognitive dimensions such as satisfaction with life, and positive affect and emotions. The latter includes the study of constructs and processes related to optimal psychological functioning, such as meaning and purpose in life, character strengths, personal growth, resilience, optimism, hope, and self-determination. In addition to contributions on appraisal of life-as-a-whole, the journal accepts papers investigating these topics in relation to specific domains, such as family, education, physical and mental health, and work. The journal welcomes high-quality theoretical and empirical submissions in the fields of economics, psychology and sociology, as well as contributions from researchers in the domains of education, medicine, philosophy and other related fields. The Journal of Happiness Studies provides a forum for three main areas in happiness research: 1) theoretical conceptualizations of well-being, happiness and the good life; 2) empirical investigation of well-being and happiness in different populations, contexts and cultures; 3) methodological advancements and development of new assessment instruments. The journal addresses the conceptualization, operationalization and measurement of happiness and well-being dimensions, as well as the individual, socio-economic and cultural factors that may interact with them as determinants or outcomes. Central Questions include, but are not limited to: Conceptualization: What meanings are denoted by terms like happiness and well-being? How do these fit in with broader conceptions of the good life? Operationalization and Measurement: Which methods can be used to assess how people feel about life? How to operationalize a new construct or an understudied dimension in the well-being domain? What are the best measures for investigating specific well-being related constructs and dimensions? Prevalence and causality Do individuals belonging to different populations and cultures vary in their well-being ratings? How does individual well-being relate to social and economic phenomena (characteristics, circumstances, behavior, events, and policies)? What are the personal, social and economic determinants and causes of individual well-being dimensions? Evaluation: What are the consequences of well-being for individual development and socio-economic progress? Are individual happiness and well-being worthwhile goals for governments and policy makers? Does well-being represent a useful parameter to orient planning in physical and mental healthcare, and in public health? Interdisciplinary studies: How has the study of happiness developed within and across disciplines? Can we link philosophical thought and empirical research? What are the biological correlates of well-being dimensions?