Spiritual Transcendence and Trauma: A Structural Equation Model of Counselor Professional Quality of Life

Abstract

This research was the first of its kind to examine the impact of spiritual transcendence on the professional quality of life among counselors as moderated by trauma. Existentialists have recognized spiritual transcendence as essential to overcoming adversity; yet, its effects remain largely unexplored in counseling. This structural equation model examined the relationships between spiritual transcendence, compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress among a sample of 222 mental health counselors. This study revealed that the interrelationships between spiritual transcendence and professional quality of life differ based on adverse childhood experiences of trauma. These findings have important theoretical and educational implications that highlight spiritual transcendence as an existential and multifaceted construct that buffers against burnout and secondary traumatic stress, especially for those with a history of substantial developmental trauma.