The effect of spirituality level on attitudes toward spiritual counseling: The case of psychology and theology students

Zeynep Apak; Muhammet Cevat Acar

doi:10.26466/opusjsr.1885137

EN TR

The effect of spirituality level on attitudes toward spiritual counseling: The case of psychology and theology students

Abstract

Spiritual counseling (SC) and guidance has recently become an emerging field of interest in both academic and applied settings in Turkey. Therefore, understanding the attitudes of students from psychology and theology—two disciplines closely related to this field—is of particular importance. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between spirituality levels and attitudes toward spiritual counseling among psychology and theology students. The study was conducted using a correlational survey design. Sample comprised 496 undergraduate students enrolled in the psychology and theology departments at Mardin Artuklu University. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Spirituality Scale, and the Attitude Toward Spiritual Counseling Scale. Analyses were performed using SPSS through t-tests, Pearson correlations, and simple linear regression techniques. The findings revealed a moderate, positive, and statistically significant relationship between students' spirituality levels and their attitudes toward spiritual counseling. Regression analysis indicated that spirituality predicted 17% of the variance in attitudes toward spiritual counseling. While gender and department did not significantly differentiate attitudes toward spiritual counseling, significant differences were observed in spirituality levels. These results suggest that students' spiritual tendencies play a meaningful role in shaping their attitudes toward spiritual counseling. Overall, the findings provide insights that may contribute to educational practices, professional training, and policy development in the field of spiritual counseling.

Keywords

spirituality, spiritual counselling, psychology students, theology students, attitude

Maneviyat düzeyinin manevi danışmanlığa yönelik tutumlar üzerindeki etkisi: Psikoloji ve ilahiyat öğrencileri örneği

Abstract

Manevi danışmanlık ve rehberlik (MDR), özellikle son yıllarda Türkiye’de akademik ve uygulamalı alanlarda dikkat çeken yeni bir çalışma sahası hâline gelmiştir. Bu bağlamda, MDR alanıyla yakından ilişkili iki disiplin olan psikoloji ve ilahiyat öğrencilerinin konuya yönelik tutumlarının anlaşılması önem taşımaktadır. Bu araştırmanın amacı, psikoloji ve ilahiyat öğrencilerinin maneviyat düzeyleri ile manevi danışmanlığa yönelik tutumları arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektir. Araştırma ilişkisel tarama modeliyle yürütülmüş olup Mardin Artuklu Üniversitesi’nde psikoloji ve ilahiyat bölümlerinde öğrenim gören toplam 496 öğrenci çalışma grubunu oluşturmuştur. Veri toplama aracı olarak Kişisel Bilgi Formu, Maneviyat Ölçeği ve Manevi Danışmanlığa Yönelik Tutum Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Veriler SPSS programı ile t-testi, Pearson korelasyon analizi ve basit doğrusal regresyon yöntemi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Araştırma bulguları, öğrencilerin maneviyat düzeyleri ile manevi danışmanlığa yönelik tutumları arasında orta düzeyde, pozitif ve anlamlı bir ilişki olduğunu göstermiştir. Regresyon analizi sonuçları, maneviyat düzeyinin MDR tutumunu %17 oranında yordadığını ortaya koymuştur. Cinsiyet ve bölüm değişkenleri MDR tutumunda anlamlı bir farklılık oluşturmazken, maneviyat düzeyleri açısından anlamlı farklılıklar bulunmuştur. Bu sonuçlar, öğrencilerin manevi yönelimlerinin manevi danışmanlık hizmetlerine ilişkin tutumlarını etkileyen önemli bir unsur olduğunu göstermekte; MDR alanında eğitim, uygulama ve politika geliştirme süreçlerine katkı sağlayabilecek bulgular sunmaktadır.

Keywords

maneviyat, manevi danışmanlık, psikoloji öğrencileri, ilahiyat öğrencileri, tutum

Supporting Institution

Mardin Artuklu University

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for the research was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Mardin Artuklu University with the decision dated 15.10.2024 and numbered 2021/8-13. The confidentiality of the participants was protected, and the entire process was conducted in accordance with ethical rules.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Applied and Developmental Psychology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Zeynep Apak ^*
0009-0002-6651-6336
Türkiye

Muhammet Cevat Acar
0000-0002-4222-3101
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 31, 2026

Submission Date

February 9, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 23 Number: 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1885137

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA98HY76LT

APA

Apak, Z., & Acar, M. C. (2026). The effect of spirituality level on attitudes toward spiritual counseling: The case of psychology and theology students. OPUS Journal of Society Research, 23(2026), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1885137

AMA

1.Apak Z, Acar MC. The effect of spirituality level on attitudes toward spiritual counseling: The case of psychology and theology students. OPUS JSR. 2026;23(2026):1-10. doi:10.26466/opusjsr.1885137

Chicago

Apak, Zeynep, and Muhammet Cevat Acar. 2026. “The Effect of Spirituality Level on Attitudes Toward Spiritual Counseling: The Case of Psychology and Theology Students”. OPUS Journal of Society Research 23 (2026): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1885137.

EndNote

Apak Z, Acar MC (March 1, 2026) The effect of spirituality level on attitudes toward spiritual counseling: The case of psychology and theology students. OPUS Journal of Society Research 23 2026 1–10.

IEEE

[1]Z. Apak and M. C. Acar, “The effect of spirituality level on attitudes toward spiritual counseling: The case of psychology and theology students”, OPUS JSR, vol. 23, no. 2026, pp. 1–10, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.26466/opusjsr.1885137.

ISNAD

Apak, Zeynep - Acar, Muhammet Cevat. “The Effect of Spirituality Level on Attitudes Toward Spiritual Counseling: The Case of Psychology and Theology Students”. OPUS Journal of Society Research 23/2026 (March 1, 2026): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.26466/opusjsr.1885137.

JAMA

1.Apak Z, Acar MC. The effect of spirituality level on attitudes toward spiritual counseling: The case of psychology and theology students. OPUS JSR. 2026;23:1–10.

MLA

Apak, Zeynep, and Muhammet Cevat Acar. “The Effect of Spirituality Level on Attitudes Toward Spiritual Counseling: The Case of Psychology and Theology Students”. OPUS Journal of Society Research, vol. 23, no. 2026, Mar. 2026, pp. 1-10, doi:10.26466/opusjsr.1885137.

Vancouver

1.Zeynep Apak, Muhammet Cevat Acar. The effect of spirituality level on attitudes toward spiritual counseling: The case of psychology and theology students. OPUS JSR. 2026 Mar. 1;23(2026):1-10. doi:10.26466/opusjsr.1885137

The effect of spirituality level on attitudes toward spiritual counseling: The case of psychology and theology students

Abstract

Keywords

Maneviyat düzeyinin manevi danışmanlığa yönelik tutumlar üzerindeki etkisi: Psikoloji ve ilahiyat öğrencileri örneği

Abstract

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ethical Statement

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite