Determinants of spirituality in children’s age

ABSTRACT

This study discusses the spiritual well-being of 8–11 year-old children and its determinants. The aim of the study was to examine differences in terms of gender and age in selected variables and verify the relationship between spiritual well-being and selected variables: the religiosity of children, parental support; peer support, as well as explaining to extent to which the stated variables predict individual domains of spiritual well-being. In order to measure the selected variables, a test battery consisting of theFGLL, PSSS and FSSS questionnaires were used in addition to the author’s Family Religious Activities Scale and the Religious Activities with Friends Scale. . . The sample consisted of 444 respondents (49% boys). The age of the respondents ranged from 8 to 11 (M = 9.69). The results were analysed by several statistical procedures. The results of the study confirm the importance of the support of parents and peers in the development of spiritual well-being in children aged 8to11. 

KEYWORDS:

• Spiritual well-being
• religiosity
• parental support
• support from friends

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical standards

The research was conducted in accordance with local ethical standards valid for dissertations carried out at the University of Prešov. Parents were informed about the study via the school administration and could opt out if they disagreed with their child’s participation. Participation in the study was fully voluntary and anonymous, with no explicit incentives provided for participation.

Additional information

Funding

This work was partially supported by the Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic; by the Slovak Academy of Sciences, reg. no. 1/0719/20.

Notes on contributors

Michaela Pariľáková

Michaela Pariľáková received her doctor degree in Psychology at the Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Arts at University of Presov, Slovak Republic. At present time, she works as an assistant professor at the Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Arts at University of Presov. Her research interests focus on spirituality and spiritual well-being in childhood age and its measurement. Currently, she is an active member of research team of the project ‘The role of the father in the social, cognitive and emotional development of the child in today’s society’.

Peter Babinčák works as a professor at the Institute of Psychology at Faculty of Arts of Presov university in Presov, where he also has the function of director of the institute. His research interests focus on issues of quality of life, psychological causes and consequences of poverty, moral judgment and the role of the father in family.

Peter Babinčák

Michaela Pariľáková received her doctor degree in Psychology at the Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Arts at University of Presov, Slovak Republic. At present time, she works as an assistant professor at the Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Arts at University of Presov. Her research interests focus on spirituality and spiritual well-being in childhood age and its measurement. Currently, she is an active member of research team of the project ‘The role of the father in the social, cognitive and emotional development of the child in today’s society’.

Peter Babinčák works as a professor at the Institute of Psychology at Faculty of Arts of Presov university in Presov, where he also has the function of director of the institute. His research interests focus on issues of quality of life, psychological causes and consequences of poverty, moral judgment and the role of the father in family.