Running head: HW420 WELLNESS ASSESSMENT 1

Spiritual and Psychological Inventory: A Wellness Assessment

Sheraya D. Martin

Purdue Global University

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Spiritual and Psychological Inventory: A Wellness Assessment

The mind-body-spirit connection is only as strong as the weakest element therein-each

exercising influence over the other two and affected by them in turn. Studies have shown that

spiritual health is “one of the most important predictors of quality of life, mental health, and

burnout” (Akbari & Hossaini, 2018). When embarking on any journey, the most important step

is to first determine the start point. A spiritual and psychological inventory will enable an

individual to assess their current state of spiritual and psychological wellness. The results will

assist them with identifying their path and creating their unique guide to great spiritual and

psychological wellness.

Spiritual and Psychological Inventory and Interview

1. Do you feel connected to the people around you professionally and personally? Do you feel

the desire to create stronger connections?

Intent: Identify current level of external connection in support of relationship pillar

(Seaward, n.d.).

Yes, I do feel connected to the people around me professionally and personally. I would like

to strengthen those connections to create even better relationships.

2. Are you in touch with who you are as person? Do you wish or see a need to develop a

stronger connection with yourself?

Intent: Identify current level of internal connection in support of relationship pillar

(Seaward, n.d.).

Yes, absolutely. I do not see a need to strengthen my connection with myself.

3. How frequently do you feel in control of your thoughts and emotions? Do you desire to have

more control of yourself?

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Intent: Identify current level of internal control and connection in support of relationship

pillar (Seaward, n.d.).

I feel that I am very in control of how I feel about things and my emotional response. I do

not feel that I need more control over myself.

4. Objectively looking at your actions, what are your five core values? Values are “should” or

“must” statements the outline rules of conduct for yourself, others, and/or the world.

Intent: Identify current values in support of values pillar (Seaward, n.d.).

1. Parents should be there for their children in positive and constructive ways; 2. You should

be mindful and respectful of differences-be open minded and reserve judgement; 3. People

must act with integrity; 4. Leaders should invest in the development of their subordinates; 5.

People in positions of leadership or authority must be good stewards of resources (e.g.

finances, personnel, environment, etc.).

5. Are there any values not listed in response to question four that you feel are more important

than what you listed? If yes, what are they and what value(s) would they replace?

Intent: Identify (dis)harmony between believed and actioned values systems in support of

values pillar (Seaward, n.d.).

No, my actions support what I hold as my core values. Paramount to all of them is the

necessity to always consider the backgrounds and perspectives of others. The majority of

conflicts and disagreements could be mitigated if individuals were mindful that their

perspective is not the end-all-be-all of what right looks like, and use that knowledge to work

towards a successful resolution.

6. Do you know what your purpose in life is? If yes, what is it? If no, do you have a desire to

find what it is?

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Intent: Identify current state of awareness of purpose in life in support of meaningful

purpose in life pillar (Seaward, n.d.).

I think my purpose in life is to help others. That’s where I gain the greatest satisfaction and

feel the most complete. The accomplishment and success of others contributes to my

meaningful purpose in life.

7. Do you primarily manage stress as it occurs (reactionary) or before it happens (preventative)?

Would you prefer to take a different approach to when you manage stress?

Intent: Identify current practice of stress management and desire for change. Stress

management directly affects spiritual growth (Seaward, n.d.).

Both. It’s easier to handle it as it comes because I’ve already evaluated and anticipated it so I

know what my response should be for the best results. I would prefer to be more

preventative though in when I manage stress.

8. What activities or practices do you find the greatest enjoyment in and stress relief from?

Would you like to try alternative activities?

Intent: Identify current activities used for stress management and willingness to try

more/others. Stress management directly affects spiritual growth (Seaward, n.d.).

I find the greatest stress relief when working on projects where I create things like furniture,

lamps, etc... Yes, I am interested in trying alternative stress management activities because I

do not always have time to work on projects.

9. Are you an optimistic thinker? Would you like to be more optimistic?

Intent: Identify current level of optimism. Optimism directly affects mind, body, and

spiritual health (The Pursuit of Happiness, n.d.).

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Yes, I am an optimist. I do not see a need to be more optimistic; I chronically see the best in

people and habitually prepare for the worst but hope for the best.

10. Reflecting on your previous answers, are you ready to embark on or continue your journey to

spiritual and psychological wellness? If not, why not? If yes, in what area do you want to

begin your work?

Intent: Determine current level of willingness to develop greater spiritual and psychological

health.

Yes, I am ready to embark on my journey to spiritual and psychological wellness. I feel my

first step needs to be getting back into regular physical activity. This will create more

personal satisfaction and help my mind-body-spirit connection by providing an outlet for

stress management and gaining greater mental clarity.

Application of Findings

The interviewee demonstrates a strong feeling of connection with himself and knowledge

of his meaningful purpose in life. He expresses a desire to strengthen his external connections

but does not feel that they are currently lacking necessarily. To assist him with enhancing

external connections it is recommended that he continue to draw upon his strong intrapersonal

connection but take more care to interact with others using a beginner’s mind as discussed in A

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook (Stahl & Goldstein, 2010).

The interviewee demonstrates a strong understanding of his core values and how they

contribute to his actions. This is not surprising given the strength of his internal connections.

His value of the importance of being mindful of the perspectives of others could lead to tension

when other people act in a way that is not mindful of those they interact with; however, such the
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stress of such tension could be managed by remembering the spirit of his core values and giving

them the grace they are denying to others.

The interviewee also expressed his ability to anticipate stress and determine how best to

handle it if/when it occurs in a given situation which demonstrates a preventative approach to

stress management. He also acknowledged that his current method of reactionary stress

management is working on a project creating something, but that he doesn’t always have time to

relieve stress that way. As a method of preventative and reactionary stress management,

meditation and deep breathing are recommended. This practice will enable the interviewee to

moderate the affects of stress as well as equip him to handle acute episodes of it. Science shows

that the deep breathing and mind clearing inherent in meditation can “reduce stress, obsessive

thinking, and anxiety and improve memory and slow aging of the brain… increase your

efficiency and ability to multitask, as well as brighten your day on the spot” (Perry, 2017). The

benefits of meditation will strengthen the interviewee’s spiritual and psychological health and

better enable his journey to overall wellness.

With the interviewee’s strong sense of self, external connections, value system, and

optimistic thinking he presents as well travelled on his spiritual path. His spiritual and

psychological development plan focuses on resuming regular physical activity and beginning a

meditation practice. The facets of this plan will round out his mind-body-spirit connection and

create an internal environment leading to less and better management of stress as well as

increased physical and mental health.

Improvements to this questionnaire include asking specific questions about one’s

perception of spiritual wellness and quality of life. Additionally, providing a list of common

stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing, etc. could help narrow
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down current experience with each and identify new techniques the interviewee would be

interested in learning more about or trying. This type of question could also help spark deeper

thought as to what the interviewee already does for stress management.

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References

Akbari, M., & Hossaini, S. (2018). The relationship of spiritual health with quality of life, mental

health, and burnout: The mediating role of emotional regulation. Iranian Journal of

Psychiatry, 13(1), 22. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-

com.libauth.purdueglobal.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsdoj&AN=edsdoj.209722d8

944685b0f411f9b3947336&site=eds-live.

Perry, C. (2017). Change your mind, change your life. Muscle & Fitness Hers. 18(2), 66.

Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-

com.libauth.purdueglobal.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=121019108&site=ed

s-live.

Seaward, B. (n.d.). The Ego and the soul. Retrieved from:

http://www.brianlukeseaward.com/downloads/ego_soul.pdf.

Stahl, B., & Goldstein, E. (2010). A mindfulness-based stress reduction workbook. Oakland, CA:

New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

The Pursuit of Happiness. (n.d.). Mindfulness and positive thinking. Retrieved from

https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/science-of-happiness/positive-thinking/.