Spirituality and Burnout in Christian Ministry among Catholic Religious Men and Women Working In Rural Areas: A Case of Lodwar Diocese in Turkana County, Kenya
- January 18, 2022
- Posted by: rsispostadmin
- Categories: IJRISS, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XII, December 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Wambua Pius Muasa (PhD)
Institute of Youth Studies, Tangaza University College
Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Ministry burnout is a global issue of concern among the Church ministers across the world. Studies have shown that majority of Church ministers leave ministry prematurely due to burnout which in turn affects their commitment to the Church. Based on the global concern of burnout in ministry among Church ministers, the study was guided by the following objectives: To examine the levels of spirituality among the Catholic religious men and women working in Lodwar Diocese; to establish the relationship between spirituality and burnout in Christian ministry among the Catholic religious men and women are working in Lodwar Diocese. The study adopted an embedded mixed method research design specifically correlational design and phenomenological design. Using census and convenience sampling, a sample size of 131 Catholic religious men and women were included in the study. Quantitative data was collected using Spirituality Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Qualitative data was collected using Focus Group Discussion Guide. Pre-testing of standardized instruments was carried out before the actual data collection to ensure its reliability and validity. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis using SPSS Version 32 while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results from descriptive statistics showed that spirituality was above average. This is because all the subscales scored a mean above 2.5. Specifically, the subscale of Eco awareness had the highest mean (mean=4.39, SD=.38), followed by self- discovery (mean=4.45, SD=.54) and relationships (mean = 4.43, SD=.42). Further, the study found a weak, negative and insignificant correlation between spirituality and burnout in Christian ministry. Emotional exhaustion and self-discovery (r=-0.167; p>0.05) and eco-awareness (r= -0.129; p>0.05). Similarly, depersonalization had weak, negative and insignificant relationship with self-discovery (r=-0.162), relationships (r=-0.108) and eco-awareness (r=-0.066). A weak negative and insignificant relationship was found between personal accomplishment and self-discovery (r= -0.078), relationships (r=-0.036) and eco-awareness (-0.025).
INTRODUCTION
Spirituality is central to the life of Church ministers and especially Catholic religious men and women due to the nature of their calling. Erica, Andrew, and Nathan (2019) conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the association between spirituality, job burnout, and work engagement. The research was conducted with human care professionals in Southern California, in the United States. A total of 133 people were chosen for the study using non-probability sampling. Spirituality was not substantially connected with burnout, according to regression analysis results. Moreover, the study was found that spirituality strongly correlated with dimension of dedication but not with dimensions of vigour and absorption. The study was carried among human service workers in Southern California while the current study was carried out with Catholic religious men and women working in rural areas. The study utilized only questionnaires as means of collecting data while the current study utilized both questionnaires and focus group discussion guide. The study employed quantitative design while the present study utilized mixed method design.
A study on spirituality and burnout among Church leaders was conducted by Miner, Sterland, Dowson, and Powell (2013). Data was gathered from local Church leaders and the 2011 National Church Life Survey (Australia). It was explored whether having a stable attachment to God and an internal orientation to ministry was linked to decreased burnout and more satisfaction in ministry. Structural Equation was used to test the hypotheses. Internal approach to ministry was found to be adversely associated with clergy burnout in the study.
A study was conducted by Pradhan and Jena (2016) to investigate the impact of workplace spirituality on emotional organizational commitment and job satisfaction. A total of 480 IT professionals from various firms across India were included in the sample. The data was analyzed and the hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling. Employees’ emotional organizational commitment and job satisfaction were positively influenced by workplace spirituality, according to the study’s findings.
