| چکیده انگلیسی مقاله |
Introduction Spiritual health has an interrelationship with other features of health and should be considered for health promotion policies. Definite worldview or beliefs, sense of selflessness or altruism/connectedness/committedness, and high levels of hope or faith are three important characteristics of spiritual health. Spiritual health and spirituality are complicated concepts which have been used interchangeably in the documents. Based on existing definitions and theories, it seems that spiritual health is dependent on the growth of spiritual capacity or spiritual evolution. Spirituality can be considered like a continuum in which spiritual health is at one end of the spectrum and spiritual injury at the other end (opposite side). Spirituality acts as an internal power for improving mental, physical and social health because helps people find resiliency, managing needs and have a positive attitude toward life experiences. Spiritual evolution is one of the complex dimensions of human development. Therefore, a holistic approach might be helpful in recognizing spirituality and how it is being nurtured during life cycle particularly in childhood stages. This review study aims at analyzing religious spirituality aspects and recognizing factors related to their development, particularly during childhood. A critical review of concepts of spirituality and spiritual development The present study is intended for analyzing religion/spirituality concepts, additionally, showing the role of childhood experiences and individuals understanding on the formation of spirituality and human development using by life cycle approach. Spirituality is an intrapersonal quest or desire to find the response for basic questions about existence, meaning, and communication with supernatural power. Religion is an organized system of beliefs, actions, rituals, and symbols facilitating of close to god and increasing social responsibility. Religious spirituality is a feature that spirituality is referred and expressed by religion, via involvement in religious activities and thinking as well as, participation in religious rituals in a special community of faith. Most theorists linked to human development have mentioned that children possess an innate spirituality and spiritual experiences or thoughts. These theories have discussed the effective factors on the formation of spirituality or the ways it has been arranged. In the other words, stages of spiritual evolution in diverse contexts and situations (child's age and life conditions) have been considered. Spiritual development is the process of growing the intrinsic capacity for self-transcendence that means transactions with something beyond the self. In the light of some evidence, religious and spiritual nurturing has a gradual process influenced by the other features of human development, for example : - A relational system for providing security and anxiety reduction, - A meaning system for dealing with existential issues and questions, - The development of cognitive schemas and thinking improvement from concrete to abstract that help for understanding of religious phenomena such as God and special rituals (prayer), - The development of faith or an identity and motivational system organized based on spiritual and religious goals and values, - Affective, cognitive and social schemas of self, - Stages of connection and awareness (consciousness) which are necessary for transcend, - Multiple contexts and systems that foster or hinder spiritual development across lifespan. Spirituality development approach has three important characteristics: a) Sense of belonging; nurtures if children are owned opportunities for participation in great or important works, moreover, whether they are affirmed and thanked for their cooperation or help. b) Respect for self and others – improves when children are taught and encouraged to overcome their conflicts calmly, as well as, their opinions, likes and dislikes are asked for and considered. c) The sense of awareness from the unknown- develops when a child's curiosity is encouraged and allowed to question, additionally, when beauties and mysteries of nature are noticed and appreciated. The sense of wonder, ponder and imagination has been identified as essential characteristics of spirituality. Create wonder and ponder about cosmos and natural phenomena help to raise awareness and understanding in all stages of the life. The concept of beauty and order of nature is a kind of spiritual experience. Art and beauty are sources of imagination that can help to the growing of the human soul. Discussion How nurturing has being done during childhood and experiences in this stage have significant effects on the person's health and quality of life. Identity, sense of belonging and meaning, as well as purpose in life, are interrelated factors influenced by spirituality and the ways which it might be nurtured. Identity is composed of ideas and beliefs which are being constructed during the human life cycle by cognitive, emotional and relational processes within special contexts. The sense of belonging is a predicting factor of self-worth, mental well-being, pro-social behaviors, and even increase in the length of life. Feeling accepted and approved by the others would induce the internal satisfaction, happiness, and peacefulness. Meaning making, value systems and finding awareness of self, others, the universe and ultimate power are produced throughout the life. In the other words, the text is perceived through context (cognitive capacity and reflective concepts from self and environment). The search for meaning has an important role in managing interpersonal relations, facing adversities and coping with negative experiences. Human beings are like systems within the cosmos that have an interrelationship with other aspects of the world. The lifestyle of the individuals influenced by their spirituality which results in impacts on personal health, environment, and community. According to some reports, choice of nutrient and healthy diet, physical activity, adhere to health behaviors for prevention of diseases, respect to social norms and rules (cautiously driving and avoiding of high risk or unethical behaviors), social responsibility and contribution, respect to and concern for protection of nature can be linked to spirituality of people. Spirituality is the most latent and internal aspect of the person and one of the important predicting factors for health, social and human development. Owing to the significant effect of childhood experiences on religion and spirituality formation, more focus and notice should be paid in this sensitive period of life. Spiritual evolution could have positive impacts on the promotion of health and social development. |