Role of Eco-spirituality in Psychological Well-Being of Selected Working Women

https://doi.org/10.58870/berj.v9i1.70

Authors

  • Annabelle Quilon College of Arts and Sciences, San Beda University Manila

Keywords:

ecospirituality, nature connectedness, psychological well-being, mental health, working women

Abstract

This study intended to determine the role of ecospirituality in the psychological well-being of selected working women in Metro Manila; thus, casual research design as well as a cross-sectional survey were utilized in this study. Moreover, this study aimed to identify the level of ecospirituality and psychological well-being of the participants.  A total of 574 working women in Metro Manila were conveniently selected.  They participated and voluntarily answered the survey questionnaires, such as the Ecospirituality Scale and the Psychological Well-being Scale.  The Ecospirituality Scale measures emotional and spiritual states about nature and has five aspects such as dwelling, caring, revering, experiencing, and relating.  Moreover, the Psychological Well-being Scale measured six aspects of wellbeing and happiness, such as autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance.  Findings revealed that working women were low in dwelling, caring, revering, experiencing, and relating the same as with psychological well-being in terms of personal growth and personal relations with others.  On the other hand, they were high in psychological well-being as to autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and self-acceptance.  Findings also revealed that ecospirituality in terms of caring predicts psychological well-being as to autonomy and personal relations with others. Likewise, ecospirituality in terms of dwelling predicts environmental mastery. Further, ecospirituality in terms of relating predicts psychological well-being as to personal growth, personal relations with others, and purpose in life.  On the other hand, all aspects of ecospirituality do not predict psychological well-being as to self-acceptance. It can be concluded that working women’s life fulfillment and happiness were influenced by their spiritual connection with nature; hence, the need to design an employee development program focused on ecopsychology was recommended.

References

Adger, W., Barnett, J., Heath, S., & Jarillo, S. (2022). Climate change affects multiple dimensions of well-being through impacts, information, and policy responses. Nature Human Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-022-01467-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-022-01467-8

Akin, A. (2008). The scales of psychological well-being: a study of validity and reliability. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 8(3)

Alias, N.S., Binti, Hashim, I.H.M., & Yahaya, M.H. (2022). Psychological well-being of working women in Malaysia: married or single is better? International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(1), 2501-2511. DOI: https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v12-i1/12239

Arola, T., Aulake, M., Ott, A., Lindholm, M., Kouvonen, P., Virtanen, P., & Paloniemi, R. (2023). The impacts of nature connectedness on children’s well-being: systematic literature review. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 85, 101913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101913 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101913

Bai X., Nath, I., Hasan, N., Capon, A. (2012). Health and wellbeing in the changing urban environment: complex and challenges, scientific responses, and the way forward. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 4(4), 465-472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2012.09.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2012.09.009

Bakir-Demir, T., Berument, S. & Akkaya, S. (2021). Nature connectedness boosts the bright side of emotion regulation, which in turn reduces stress. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 76, 101642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101642. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101642

Basileyo, A. (2019). Spirituality and psychological well-being: the mediating role of pessimism. LPU-Laguna Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 3(3).

Bellehumeur, C., Bilodeau, C., & Kam, C. (2022). Integrating positive psychology and spirituality in the context of climate change. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.970362. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.970362

Billet, M., Baimel, A., Sahakari, S., Schaller, M., & Norenzayan, A. (2023). Ecospirituality: the psychology of moral concern for nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 87, 102001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102001

Biswas, R. (2022). Ecology psychology – an introspection. Environmental Management. N.B. Publications, India.

Bozek, A., Nowak, P., Blukacz, M. (2020). The relationship between spirituality, health-related behavior, and psychological well-being. Front. Psychol. 11, 1997. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01997 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01997

Bratman, G., Olvera-Alvarez, H., & Gross, J. (2020). The affective benefits of nature exposure. Soc Personal Psychol Compass 15, e12630. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12630 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12630

Bhuvakar, S. (2022). Self-esteem & quality of life: a comparative study among working women and non-working women. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 27(9), series 9, 28-40. E-ISSN:2279-0837.

Curll, S. L., Stanley, S. K., Brown, P. M., & O'Brien, L. V. (2022). Nature connectedness in the climate change context: Implications for climate action and mental health. Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 8(4), 448 460. https://doi.org/10.1037/tps0000329 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/tps0000329

de Diego-Cordero, R., Martinez_Herrera, A., CoheÑa-Jimenez, M., Luchetti, G., & Perez-Jimenez, J.M. (2024). Ecospirituality and health: A systematic review. J Relig Health 63, 1285-1306. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01994-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01994-2

Dhanabhakyam, M. & Sarath, M. (2023). Psychological well-being: a systematic literature review. International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.48175/IJARSCT-8345 DOI: https://doi.org/10.48175/IJARSCT-8345

Gabatbat, M. & Santander, N. (2020). Finding positive peace in a typhoon-stricken town of hernani, eastern samar. Bedan Research Journal, 5(1), 59-83. https://bedanjournal.org/index.php/berj/article/view/12/VOL5-2020-59-84 DOI: https://doi.org/10.58870/berj.v5i1.12

Gascon, M., Sanchez-Benavidez, G., Dadvand, P., Martinez, D., Gramunt, N., Gotsens, X., Cirach, M., Vert, C. Molinuevo, J.L., Crous-Bou, M., & Nieuwenhuijsen, M. (2018). Long-term exposure to residential green and blue spaces and anxiety and depression in adults: a cross-sectional study. Environmental Research, Volume 162, 231-239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.012

Gascon, M., Ziijema, W., Vert, C., P White, M., & J Nieuwenhuijsen, M. (2017). Outdoor blue spaces, human health and well-being: a systematic review of quantitative studies. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 220 (8): 1207-1221. doi:10.1016/j.iijheh.2017.08.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.08.004

Gascon, M., Triguero-Mas, D., Martinez, P., Dadvand, J., Forns, A., Plasenxia (2015). Mental health benefits of long-term exposure to residential green and blue spaces: a systematic review. Int. J. Environ, Res. Publ. Health, 12, pp. 4354-4379. https://10.3390/ijerph120404354 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120404354

Ghosh, V. & Alee, R. (2023). Nature heals: the relationship of nature-connected with subjected happiness and resilience. The international Journal of Indian Psychology, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.23215/1102.034

Grahowska-Chenczke,O., Wajchman-Switalska, S., & Wozniak, M. (2022). Psychological Well-being and Nature Relatedness. Forest, 13(7), 1048. https://doi.org/10.339/f13071048 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/f13071048

Gifford, R. & Nilsson, A. (2014). Personal and social factors that influence pro-environmental concern and behavious. a review. International Journal of Psychology, vol. 49, no. 3, 141-157. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12034. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12034

Guillard, M., Fleury-Bahi, G., & Navarro, O. (2021). Encouraging individuals to adapt to climate change: relations between coping strategies and psychological distance. Sustainability, 13, 992. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020992 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020992

Hayes, K., Blashki, G., Wiseman, J., Burke, S., & Reifels, L. (2018). Climate change and mental health: risks, impacts and priority actions. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 12:28. https://doi.og/10.1186/s13033-018-0219-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-018-0210-6

Heard, C. P., Scott, J., & Yeo, S. (2022). Ecospirituality in Forensic Mental Health: A Preliminary Outcome Study. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 10(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1708 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1708

Heng, P., Hutabarat, F., Lathiifah, S. (2021). Relationship between spiritual well-being and quality of life among students in southeast-asia countries. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 570. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210805.172

Ho, K. & Tang, D. (2021). Climate change and its impacts on mental wellbeing. Global Academic Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 3, 144-151. https://doi.org/10.36348/gajhss.2021.v03i04.003

Hudtohan, E.T. (July 2017). Moral Beauty: Prospect for Business Ethics. The Journal of Business Research and Development.

Kamitsis, I. & Francis, A. (2013). Spirituality mediates the relationship between engagement with nature and psychological well-being. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 36, 136-143. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.07.013

Karakus, M., Ersozlu, A., Usak, M., & Yucel, S. (2021). Spirituality and well-being of children, adolescent, and adult students: a scientific mapping of the literature. Journal of Religion and Health, 60 (2): 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01435-y. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01435-y

Knepple Carney, A. & HicksPatrick, J. (2016). Spirituality, connectedness to nature, and well-being among adults. The Gerontologist, 56(3), Page 593. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw162.2390 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw162.2390

Kras, N. & Keenan, J. (2020). How New England Island residents view the influence of the natural environment in their liv. Ecopsychology, 13(1), 55-63. https://doi.org/10.1089/ecoes.2020.0029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2020.0029

Lakhshmi, C. & Anis, A. (2017). A study of psychological well-being among housewives and working women of Mitila Region, North Bihar, India. International Journal of Human Resource & Industrial Research. 4(2), 08-15. ISSN: 2349-3593,

Lawrence, E., Thompson, R., Fontanta, G., & Jennings, N. (2021). The impact of climate change on mental health and emotional well-being: current evidence and implications for policy and practice. Institute of global health innovation. Briefing paper, No 36. Lincoln V. Ecospirituality: A Pattern that Connects. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 2000;18(3):227-244. https://doi.org/10.1177/089801010001800305. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/089801010001800305

Liu, H., Nong, H., Ren,H. & Lui, K. (2022).The effects of nature exposure, nature connectedness on mental well-being and ill-being in a general Chinese population. Landscape and urban planning, volume 222, 104397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104397 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104397

Mah, A., Chapman, D., Markowitz, & Lickel, B. (2020). Coping with climate change: three insights for research, intervention, and communication to promote adaptive coping to climate change. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.102282 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.102282

Mohamed, F., Roslan, S., Zaremohzzabieh, Z., & Ahrari, S. (2022). Relationship between spirituality, nature connected, and burnout of schoolteachers during online classes amid covid-19 pandemic: the moderating role of gender. International Journal of Learning, Teaching, and Educational Research, 21(3), 301-318. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.21.3.16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.21.3.16

Moreno-Sanchez, A.R. (2022). Salud y medio ambiente. Revista De La Facultad De Medicina UNAM, 65(3), 8-18. https://doi.org/10.22201/fm.24484865e.2022.65.3.02 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22201/fm.24484865e.2022.65.3.02

Navarro, O., Tapia-Fonllem, C., Fraijo-sing, B., Roussiau, N., Ortiz-Valdez, A., & Guillard, M., Wittenberg, I. & Fleury-Bahi, G. (2019). Connectedness to nature and its relationship with spirituality, wellbeing, and sustainable behaviour. PsyEcology, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/21711976.2019.1643662 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21711976.2019.1643662

Nawrath, M., Elsey, H., & Dallimer, M. (2022). Why cultural ecosystem services matter most: Exploring the pathways linking greenspaces and mental health in a low-income country. The Science of the Total Environmental, 806 (Pt 3), 150551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150551 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150551

Ozcan, O., Hoelterhoff, M. & Wylie, E. (2021). Faith and spirituality as psychological coping mechanism among female aid workers: a qualitative study. Int J Humanitarian Action 6, 15 https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-021-00100-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-021-00100-z

Pelletier, L., Baxter, D., & Huta, V. (2011). Personal autonomy and environmental sustainability. 10.1007/978-90-481-9667-8_12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9667-8_12

Puchalski, C., Ferrel, B., Virani, R., Otis-Green, S., Baird, P., Bull, J., Chochinov, H., Handzo, G., Nelson-Becker, H., Prince-Paul, M., Pugliese, K., & Sulmasy, D. (2009). Improving the quality of spiritual care as a dimension of palliative care: The report of the Consensus Conference. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 12(10), 885-904. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2009.0142. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2009.0142

Paul Victor, C. G., and Treschuk, J. V. (2020). Critical literature review on the definition clarity of the concept of faith, religion, and spirituality. J. Holist. Nurs. 38, 107–113. https://doi.org/ 10.1177/0898010119895368 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010119895368

Pritchard, A., Richardson, M., Sheffield, D., McEwan, K. (2019). The relationship between nature connectedness and eudaimonic well-being: a meta-analysis. Journal of Happiness Studies, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2011.03.037 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-019-00118-6

Quilon, A. & Kurniawan, Y. (2023). Online learning environment and mental health among university students. Bedan Research Journal, 8(1), 259-284.https://doi.org/10.58870/berj.v8i1.54 DOI: https://doi.org/10.58870/berj.v8i1.54

Quilon, A. & Perreras, R. (2020). Communication climate as predictor of perceived corporate governance and organizational success. Bedan Research Journal, 5, 191-213. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58870/berj.v5i1.17

Rana, A. & Jain, K. (2018). Nature connectedness and resilience – a correlational study. Times International Journal of Research, A Creative Journal for Research. ISSN No. 2349-4867

Rathore, S. & Mertia, S. (2021). Self-acceptance among working women and homemaker. Mukt Shabd Journal, IX(VII), ISSN: 2347-3150

Richardson, M., Passmore, H., Lumber, R., Thomas, R., & Hunt, A. (2021). Moments, not minutes: the nature-wellbeing relationship. International Journal of Wellbeing, 11(1), 8-33. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v11i1.1267. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v11i1.1267

Ryff, C. (1995) Psychological Well-being in adult life. Current directions in Psychological Science, 4(4), 99-104. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8721.ep10772395

Ryff, C. D., Almeida, D. M., Ayanian, J. S., Carr, D. S., Cleary, P. D., Coe, C., … Williams, D. (2007). National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS II), 2004-2006: Documentation of the Psychosocial Constructs and Composite Variables in MIDUS II Project 1. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR04652

Ryff, C., & Keyes, C. (1995). The structure of psychological well-being revisited. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69(4), 719-727 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.69.4.719

Sadia Shahjahan Khan & Shamaila Asad (2021). Stress, sleep quality, psychological well-being, and relationship satisfaction among married working women. Journal of Arts & Social Sciences, 8(2), 69-77. https://doi.org/10.46662/jass.v8i2.120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46662/jass.v8i2.120

Saleem, R. & Ali Khan, S. (2015). Impact of spirituality on well-being among old age people. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 2(3). ISSN 2348-5396. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25215/0203.039

Silva-de-la-Rosa, M.A. (2022). Eco-espiritualidad: Saberes en Resistencia, defensa del territorio y el cuidado de la casa comun. Revista Disertaciones, 11(1), 19-33. https://doi.org/10.33975/disuq.vol11n1.796 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33975/disuq.vol11n1.796

Sinha, S. (2017). Multiple roles of working women and psychological well-being. Ind Psychiatry J. Jul-Dec; 26 (2): 171-177. https://doi.org/10.4103/ipj.ipj.70.16 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ipj.ipj_70_16

Suganthi, L. (2019). Ecospirituality: a scale to measure an individual’s reverential respect for the environment. Ecopsychology, 11(2). https://doi.og/10.1089/eco.2018.0065 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2018.0065

Tian, Xiaoling (2012). Preschool teachers’ perspectives on caring relationships, autonomy, and intrinsic motivation in two cultural settings. Dissertations and Thesis, Paper 470. https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.470. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15760/etd.470

Thomson, E. & Roach, S. (2023). The relationships among nature connectedness, climate anxiety, climate action, climate knowledge, and mental health. Front, Psychol., Sec. Environmental Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1241400 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1241400

Trigwell, J., Francis, A., Bagot, K. (2014). Nature connectedness and Eudaimonic Well-being: Spirituality as Potential Mediator. Ecopsychology, 6(4). https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2014.0025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2014.0025

Tyagi, J., Sabharwal, S., & Kumar, R. (2022). Relationship between nature connected. and psychological resilience. Journal of Education: Rabindra Bharati University, XXIV(1), ISSN: 0972-7175.

Waterman, a., Schwartz, S., Zamboanga, B., Ravert, R., Williams, M., Agocha, B., Kim, S., & Donnellan, B. (2010). The questionnaire for eudaimonic well-being: psychometric properties, demographic comparisons, and evidence of validity. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 5(1), 41-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760903435208

Weber, S. & Pargament, K. (2014). The role of religion and spirituality in mental health. Weber SR, Pargament KI. The role of religion and spirituality in mental health. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2014 Sep;27(5):358-63. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000080 PMID: 25046080. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000080

Vergunst, F. & Berry, H. (2022). Climate change and children’s mental health: a developmental perspective. Clinical Psychological Science, 10(4), 767-785. https://doi.org/10.1177/21677026211040787 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/21677026211040787

Vlasov, M., Heikkurinen, P., & Bonnedahl, K. J. (2023). Suffering catalyzing ecopreneurship: Critical ecopsychology of organizations. Organization, 30(4), 668-693. https://doi.org/10.1177/13505084211020462 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/13505084211020462

Zhang, J., Howell, R., Iyer, R. (2014). Engagement with natural beauty moderate the positive relaion between connectedness with nature and psychological well-being. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 38, 55-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.12.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.12.013

Published

10/22/2024

How to Cite

Quilon , A. (2024). Role of Eco-spirituality in Psychological Well-Being of Selected Working Women. Bedan Research Journal, 9(1), 196–220. https://doi.org/10.58870/berj.v9i1.70

Issue

Section

Articles

cITATION