Relationship between Psycho-spiritual Well-being and Resilience among Catholic Religious Sisters in Nigeria

Authors

Sarah Eyareosowo Bedebe

Psycho-Spiritual Institute of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, an affiliate of Veritas University, Abuja, Nigeria (Nigeria)

Fr. Dr. Richard Ehusani.

Psycho-Spiritual Institute of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, an affiliate of Veritas University, Abuja, Nigeria (Nigeria)

Dr. Maria Ntarangwe

Psycho-Spiritual Institute of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, an affiliate of Veritas University, Abuja, Nigeria (Nigeria)

Article Information

DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2026.100800918

Subject Category: Religious Studies

Volume/Issue: 10/8 | Page No: 13381-13389

Publication Timeline

Submitted: 2026-09-02

Accepted: 2026-09-07

Published: 2026-09-21

Abstract

Psycho-spiritual well-being and resilience are vital for human flourishing under stress and adversity, particularly for women in consecrated life, whose vocation is shaped by prayer, community living, and demanding apostolic ministry. This study examined the relationship between psycho-spiritual well-being and resilience among Catholic religious sisters in Nigeria, highlighting how spirituality, inner resources, and supportive systems enable them to thrive amid vocational challenges. Objective explored the relationship between psycho-spiritual well-being and resilience among participants. The study was guided by logotherapy and "ordinary magic" frameworks. Through simple random sampling, a sample of 238 was determined from a target population of 587 using the Yamane formula. Employing two standardised tools; the Psycho-spiritual Well-being Scale (P-SWBS) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25), yielded 159 valid responses. Employing a quantitative research design, the study utilised Google Forms for data collection, and SPSS for data analysis. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant, moderate positive correlation (r = .500, p < 0.01). The study concluded with empirical evidence that psycho-spiritual well-being was moderately and positively associated with resilience, indicating that it is an important correlate among participants. Recommendations included spiritual direction, counselling, self-care, community life, education, leadership and on-going formation as potential contextual supports to strengthen the relationship between psycho-spiritual well-being resilience among Catholic religious sisters in Nigeria.

Keywords

Psycho-spiritual well-being, resilience, Catholic religious sisters in Nigeria.

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