Psychosocial, Psychospiritual Challenges and Coping Among Religious Sisters: Basis for a Psychological Adaptation Program

This study was conducted to determine the psychosocial and psychospiritual challenging experiences of religious sisters during their transition to community life, and to identify how they are coping with these challenges. The results provide a basis for a psychological adaptation program for religious sisters. A sequential explanatory mixed method was used, with data collected through interviews using simple random sampling technique, survey questionnaire and descriptive correlational to investigate relationships between two variables: the psychosocial and psychospiritual challenges experienced by religious Sisters. The researcher concludes that physical manifestation of stress (M= 2.74, SD= 0.68) were recorded to be high among the 142 participants and low frequency of having the psychospiritual challenge related to their relationship with God (M= 1.97, SD =0.57). There was no correlation between the variables—other than one (1) coping strategies by the sisters. That is, working on Oneself (Avoiding) has been found to be significantly correlated to both measure of Psychosocial (r= .171, p= <.05) and Psychospiritual Coping (r= .221, p= <.01). This resulted for religious sisters encountering these psychosocial challenges in their community life and mission, physical health, technology, and vows. Meanwhile, psychospiritual challenges are faced in their relationships with God, others, and self. The coping strategies of the young sisters include avoidant coping, approach coping, and emotional coping. Based on the findings of the study, the Psychological Adaptation Program was designed by the researcher to help the young sisters (a) develop self confidence and self-esteem, (b) identify stress that may affect knowledge and other necessary skills for their mission, (c) understand how to cope with stress and maintain good health, (d) understand their vows more deeply, and (e) strengthen and nurture their relationship with God and with one another.