Mediating role of communion, agency, and private practice on the relationship of spiritual experience and prosocial behavior of the Catholic Youth in the Philippines

ABSTRACT

Previous research has shown associations between spiritual experience and prosocial behaviour. However, the mechanism between spiritual experience and prosocial behaviour has not been thoroughly studied. We argue that communion, agency, and private practice explain their relationship. Spiritual experience cultivates communion by forming a connection with others. Spiritual experience increases the sense of self or agency, which leads to prosocial behaviour by being more sensitive to one’s sense of self. Private practice mediates between spiritual experience and prosocial behaviour. We tested the model by evaluating the responses of 1316 participants who completed the prosocial behaviour, communion, agency, private practice, and spiritual experience scale. Process macro model 4 was used to analyse the mediation. The results show that agency, communion, and private practice partially mediate between spiritual experience and prosocial behaviour. Emphasis is placed on the value of positive interaction, sense of self, and personal spiritual activities in expressing prosocial behaviour.

KEYWORDS:

• Spirituality
• communion
• agency
• prosocial behaviours

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Justin Vianey M. Embalsado

Justin Vianey M. Embalsado is an Assistant Professor of the Department of Psychology, Angeles University Foundation, Angeles City, Philippines. He currently serves as a coordinator for assessment and research in the university wellness center. He earned his master’s degree in Psychology major in Clinical Psychology. His fields of interest are spirituality, social identity, employee mental health, and hope research.

Homer J. Yabut

Homer J. Yabut is an Associate Professor of the Departent of Psychology, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines. He currently serve as the course coordinator for Understanding the Self, a research fellow at the Social Development Research Center, and affiliate at La Salle Institute of Governance. He obtained his PhD in Counseling Psychology major in Industrual Counseling. His field of interest are Filipino spirituality, social cure, and Filipino psychology.

Jonee O. Miranda

Jonee O. Miranda is an Assistant Professor of the Department of Psychology, Angeles University Foundation, Angeles City, Philippines. She currently serves as a coordinator for AB Psychology program. She earned her master’s degree in Psychology. Her fields of interest are psychological capital, well-being, and student engagement.

Airajoy Keynn S. Medina

Airajoy Keynn S. Medina is an Instructor of the Department of Psychology, Angeles University Foundation, Angeles City, Philippines. She earned her master’s degree in Psychology. Her fields of interest are spirituality, forgiveness, and well-being.

Reymond Neal C. Cruz

Reymond Neal C. Cruz is an Assistant Professorial Lecturer of the Department of Psychology, Angeles University Foundation, Angeles City, Philippines. He currently serves as an accreditation officer at Total Quality Management Office. He earned his master’s degree in Psychology. His fields of interest are procrastination, personality, and well-being.

Darren E. Dumaop

Darren E. Dumaop is an Assistant Professorial Lecturer of the Department of Psychology, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines. He is a doctorate candidate in Social Psychology. His fields of interest are religiosity, mental health, leadership, and citizenship.