Spiritual dryness in Catholic priests: Internal resources as possible buffers.

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arndt Büssing ◽  
Klaus Baumann ◽  
Christoph Jacobs ◽  
Eckhard Frick
Keyword(s):  
Catholic Priests ◽  
Internal Resources ◽  
Spiritual Dryness

scholarly journals Spiritual Dryness as a Measure of a Specific Spiritual Crisis in Catholic Priests: Associations with Symptoms of Burnout and Distress

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arndt Büssing ◽  
Andreas Günther ◽  
Klaus Baumann ◽  
Eckhard Frick ◽  
Christoph Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Spiritual Experiences ◽  
Spiritual Renewal ◽  
Specific Measure ◽  
Catholic Priests ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Daily Spiritual Experiences ◽  
Spiritual Crisis ◽  
Spiritual Dryness

Spirituality/religiosity is recognized as a resource to cope with burdening life events and chronic illness. However, less is known about the consequences of the lack of positive spiritual feelings. Spiritual dryness in clergy has been described as spiritual lethargy, a lack of vibrant spiritual encounter with God, and an absence of spiritual resources, such as spiritual renewal practices. To operationalize experiences of “spiritual dryness” in terms of a specific spiritual crisis, we have developed the “spiritual dryness scale” (SDS). Here, we describe the validation of the instrument which was applied among other standardized questionnaires in a sample of 425 Catholic priests who professionally care for the spiritual sake of others. Feelings of “spiritual dryness” were experienced occasionally by up to 40%, often or even regularly by up to 13%. These experiences can explain 44% of variance in daily spiritual experiences, 30% in depressive symptoms, 22% in perceived stress, 20% in emotional exhaustion, 19% in work engagement, and 21% of variance of ascribed importance of religious activity. The SDS-5 can be used as a specific measure of spiritual crisis with good reliability and validity in further studies.

Reactions and Strategies of German Catholic Priests to Cope with Phases of Spiritual Dryness

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 1018-1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arndt Büssing ◽  
Jochen Sautermeister ◽  
Eckhard Frick ◽  
Klaus Baumann
Keyword(s):  
Catholic Priests ◽  
Spiritual Dryness

VALUE-SEMANTIC ECONOMY

ASJ. ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (40) ◽  
pp. 53-57
Author(s):  
A.V. Kurbatov A.V., ◽  
L.A. Kurbatova
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Human Capital Development ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
External Resources ◽  
Internal Resources ◽  
Value Determination ◽  
High Dynamics ◽  
Capital Development

The continuing build-up in the speed of deepening of the global economic crisis, driven by just as fast drop in quantity of the external resources calculated per inhabitant of our planet, forces us to refer to internal resources in order to prevent the irreversible losses, to overcome the crisis and ensure the sustainable development. Beginning from the second half of the 20-th century, the hopes for efficient deployment of internal resources have been laid on the development of the human-capital theory. However, despite the intensive change in perception of the very concept of "human capital" and a wide scope of innovative models of its practical application, aimed at bringing the economy out of stagnation, the desired outcome is not achieved. The trend of transferring of the bulk of investments to human capital, at the expense of the share of investments spent on increased production, has proved insufficient. The analysis of causes of ultra-high risks of investments in increase of human capital has helped to determine that the models, which are used currently, do not take into account some of the fundamental patterns, which ensure the high efficiency of investment in human capital. Most of the models are based on application of the methods of situational governance, which, at best, have a short-term positive effect. This trend results from the insufficient awareness of managers of the fundamental patterns of human capital development, which deprives the investors of the possibility to benefit from the optimal combination of the situational governance with relevant long-term programs, which can steadily increase human capital. The researches of the fundamental patterns of human capital development have shown, that the main factor for achieving the high efficiency of investment in human capital is the correct organization of the processes of value determination of the subjects of economic activity and the transition from the value determination to value-semantic determination, thus ensuring guaranteed attainment of goals along with high dynamics of resources. The work presented here is dedicated to the method of managing the quality of human capital, which is hereafter referred to as value-semantic economy.

A Systems Approach to Voluntary CSR Reporting: The Role of Internal Resources

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fereshteh Mahmoudian ◽  
Jamal A. Nazari ◽  
Irene M. Herremans
Keyword(s):  
Systems Approach ◽  
Internal Resources ◽  
Csr Reporting

scholarly journals Compost as an Option for Sustainable Crop Production at Low Stocking Rates in Organic Farming

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1078
Author(s):  
Christopher Brock ◽  
Meike Oltmanns ◽  
Christoph Matthes ◽  
Ben Schmehe ◽  
Harald Schaaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Potassium Sulfate ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Internal Resources ◽  
Compost Application ◽  
Stocking Rates

Mixed-crop-livestock farms offer the best conditions for sustainable nutrient management in organic farming. However, if stocking rates are too low, sustainability might be threatened. Therefore, we studied the development of soil organic matter and nutrients as well as crop yields over the first course of a new long-term field experiment with a mimicked cattle stocking rate of 0.6 LU ha−1, which is the actual average stocking rate for organic farms in Germany. In the experiment, we tested the effects of additional compost application to improve organic matter supply to soils, and further, potassium sulfate fertilization for an improved nutrition of fodder legumes. Compost was made from internal resources of the farm (woody material from hedge-cutting). Soil organic matter and nutrient stocks decreased in the control treatment, even though yield levels, and thus nutrient exports, were comparably low. With compost application, soil organic matter and nutrient exports could be compensated for. At the same time, the yields increased but stayed at a moderate level. Potassium sulfate fertilization further improved N yields. We conclude that compost from internal resources is a viable solution to facilitate sustainable organic crop production at low stocking rates. However, we are aware that this option does not solve the basic problem of open nutrient cycles on the farm gate level.

scholarly journals Service-user efforts to maintain their wellbeing during and after successful withdrawal from antipsychotic medication

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 204512532198913
Author(s):  
Miriam Larsen-Barr ◽  
Fred Seymour
Keyword(s):  
Antipsychotic Medication ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Internal Resources ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
What Works ◽  
Systemic Factors ◽  
The Impact

Background: It is well-known that attempting antipsychotic withdrawal can be a fraught process, with a high risk of relapse that often leads people to resume the medication. Nonetheless, there is a group of people who appear to be able to discontinue successfully. Relatively little is known about how people do this. Methods: A convenience sample of adults who had stopped taking antipsychotic medication for more than a year were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews through an anonymous online survey that investigated antipsychotic medication experiences in New Zealand. Thematic analysis explored participant descriptions of their efforts to maintain their wellbeing during and after the withdrawal process. Results: Of the seven women who volunteered to participate, six reported bipolar disorder diagnoses and one reported diagnoses of obsessive compulsive disorder and depression. The women reported successfully discontinuing antipsychotics for 1.25–25 years; six followed a gradual withdrawal method and had support to prepare for and manage this. Participants defined wellbeing in terms of their ability to manage the impact of any difficulties faced rather than their ability to prevent them entirely, and saw this as something that evolved over time. They described managing the process and maintaining their wellbeing afterwards by ‘understanding myself and my needs’, ‘finding what works for me’ and ‘connecting with support’. Sub-themes expand on the way in which they did this. For example, ‘finding what works for me’ included using a tool-box of strategies to flexibly meet their needs, practicing acceptance, drawing on persistence and curiosity and creating positive life experiences. Conclusion: This is a small, qualitative study and results should be interpreted with caution. This sample shows it is possible for people who experience mania and psychosis to successfully discontinue antipsychotics and safely manage the impact of any symptoms that emerge as a result of the withdrawal process or other life stressors that arise afterwards. Findings suggest internal resources and systemic factors play a role in the outcomes observed among people who attempt to stop taking antipsychotics and a preoccupation with avoiding relapse may be counterproductive to these efforts. Professionals can play a valuable role in facilitating change.

scholarly journals The ‘persona’ lives of Roman Catholic priests

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
James O. Juma ◽  
Danie Du Toit ◽  
Karen Van der Merwe
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Catholic Church ◽  
Roman Catholic ◽  
Roman Catholic Church ◽  
Catholic Priests ◽  
Roman Catholic Priests ◽  
Cultural Openness

This study aimed to provide an in-depth description and interpretation of African Roman Catholic Church priests’ experiences integrating African and Western worldviews into their lives and works as Roman Catholic Church priests through the lens of Jungian constructs. Fifteen African priests were purposely selected and interviewed in depth. Additional sources of data were reflexive notes and observation notes. Data were subjected to various iterative cycles of analysis. Most participants (80%) indicated that, in one way or another, they were experiencing conflict in terms of the cultural values of manhood and Roman Catholic Church prescription. Findings suggest that a more concerted and serious effort should be undertaken by the Roman Catholic Church to support and guide its priests on a path of healing, which includes the priests risking cultural openness and being true to themselves and God.

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