Spiritual and Psychological Inventory

Jacqueline D’Orazio

Purdue Global University

HW420: Creating Wellness – Spiritual and Psychological Aspects of Healing

Professor Dorette Nysewander

February 15, 2022

Unit 9 Assignment: Final Project

 Spirituality and psychological health play an important role in an individual’s health and well-

being. It is what gives individuals purpose in their life. Developing spirituality and improving

psychological health allows individuals to feel more connected to themselves, others around them, and

gives them a sense of worth (Brennan, 2021). Spirituality can mean different things to different

people, but some may not understand it or may not know their own level of spirituality themselves. I

have created an inventory of ten questions to help individuals determine their current state of wellness

and have a better understanding of their spectrum of spirituality and psychological self.

1. How do you define spirituality?

RESPONSE: Spiritually to me is something you believe in or practice that is not necessarily a

tangible object such as God or the soul. I usually relate it to some type of religion or belief.

This is an important question to include in a spiritual and psychological inventory because

everyone has their own definition of spirituality. For some, spirituality may be practicing a religion,

believing in a higher power, or having a connection with the world around them. A person’s definition

of spirituality provides more insight into what they believe the meaning of life is.

2. Do you feel you have a meaningful purpose in life?

RESPONSE: I don’t think I have a meaningful purpose in life in regards to occupation,

relevant contributions, or impactful acts, but I have a purpose in my personal life as a father,

husband, and friend.

I included this question in my inventory because it is important for individuals to consider what

their purpose in life is. It is important for people to feel that they were put on this earth for a reason,

and not just to take up space. Having a meaningful purpose in life can improve an individual’s feeling

of self-worth and personal growth (Greenstein, 2016).

3. What do you believe true happiness is?

 RESPONSE: To me, true happiness is peace of mind and contentment with yourself.

I included this question because, similarly to defining spirituality, everyone has their own meaning

of happiness. Some people may think happiness comes from having personal possessions or making a

lot of money, while others may think happiness comes from surrounding yourself with loved ones and

feeling that you are a good person. I believe a person’s definition of happiness gives us a better

understanding of their values and what they find most important in life.

4. Do you currently engage in any spiritual practices and how often?

RESPONSE: I do not. I don’t practice any form of religion, meditation or inner self-reflection

although I do believe such things can play an important role in your life.

There are a variety of ways individuals can practice spirituality. Some practice prayer, meditation,

yoga, walking through nature, etc. (Brennan, 2021). Understanding how an individual engages in

spiritual practices may provide a better understanding of how that person connects with themselves

and the world around them. If they don’t currently engage in any practices, they can learn the many

benefits it has on health and well-being such as increased positive feelings, reducing depression,

reducing stress levels, and improving psychological health (Scott, 2020).

5. Are you more of an optimist or a pessimist?

RESPONSE: I’m more of a pessimist. I tend to see the bad in things and find things hard to

believe. I usually look at what can go wrong as opposed to what can go right.

Whether an individual is more optimistic or pessimistic can determine how they live and go about

their daily lives. Individuals who are more pessimistic see the negative aspects of all situations, even

when something goes right for them. They frequently worry about the future and can’t live life to the

fullest. Individuals who are optimistic will see the good in everything. They experience more positive

feelings and see hope in most situations.

 6. In what ways do you practice optimism in your daily life?

RESPONSE: I try to be optimistic about my business and be thankful for my family and

friends.

Practicing optimism daily is important, even if the individual is more of a pessimist. If when

dealing with stressful, difficult situations, practicing optimism can help give someone hope and

provide them with a more positive outlook on their life.

7. Do you believe there is something out there that is bigger than us?

RESPONSE: I was raised catholic and although I don’t believe in an actual solo god, I do

believe that there is something out there because I believe in the spiritual being. I believe that

loved ones can come to you in the form of dreams or a calming feeling that can help you

during times of need.

Whether an individual believes in a higher power or not helps to provide a better understanding of

how they view and connect with others and the world around them. Those who believe there is

something out there bigger than us often believe “there is more to life than just what people

experience on a sensory and physical level” (Scott, 2020). These individuals may be more open-

minded to experiencing mystical or spiritual events, have deeper connections with others around them,

or believe there is more to life even after death.

8. Do you believe spirituality plays an important role in your health and well-being?

RESPONSE: Yes. I believe that those who can achieve inner peace through spirituality live

happier and healthier lives. I believe that the mind is very powerful and can play an important

role in your overall well-being.

This question provides more insight into whether individuals practice spirituality to improve their

physical, mental, and emotional health. Practicing spirituality can allow individuals to be at peace with
themselves. This impacts all aspects of health and well-being in a variety of ways such as decreasing

hypertension, improving the immune system, reducing depression, and improving overall positive

feelings (Miller, 2022).

9. How do you incorporate mindfulness into your everyday life?

RESPONSE: I always think carefully about any decisions I have to make in my daily life. I

make sure that these decisions are good for myself and my family. I try my best to be mindful

that these decisions will not affect others in a negative way.

How, or if, an individual practices mindfulness every day can help to assess that person’s

psychological health. Practicing mindfulness allows the individual to live in the present moment,

rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Mindfulness plays an important role in

an individual’s spiritual and psychological health because it can reduce anxiety, depression, and stress,

and also allows the individual to improve their self-awareness (Scott, 2020).

10. Do you believe is mysticism? Or are these spiritual events just coincidences?

RESPONSE: I do believe in mysticism and the unknown. Being raised Catholic I was always

taught to believe in God and saints but never in spirits. I always felt that was contradictory. I

also believe that certain people have a connection to the spiritual world.

Mysticism is a big part of spirituality, which involves having spiritual, meaningful experiences

that may seem otherworldly. Individuals who believe in mystical experiences are open-minded and

believe there is something out there much bigger than us that allows us to connect to the world, spirits,

and others around us. They are willing to accept these events can occur without any reason and find

peace in these moments if and when they experience them themselves.

This interview was completed by my father who is 58 years old. He deals with some mental

health problems himself such as anxiety and depression. I never thought of my father to be spiritual in
any way, but his answers to these questions surprised me. This interview has helped me to understand

where he stands on the spiritual spectrum. While he doesn’t engage in any spiritual practices himself,

he does believe there is something out there bigger than us. He believes spirituality is important for

health because it allows individuals to be at peace and content with their lives. To improve this

inventory and have an even better understanding of a person’s spiritual and psychological health, I

think it needs to include questions on how they handle suffering, forgiveness, and ways they improve

their self-worth. I think these questions would provide a better understanding of how they connect

with themselves and get their level of self-awareness.

References
Brennan, D. (2021). How Spirituality Affects Mental Health.

https://www.webmd.com/balance/how-spirituality-affects-mental-health

Greenstein, L. (2016). The Mental Health Benefits of Religion & Spirituality.

https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/December-2016/The-Mental-Health-Benefits-

of-Religion-Spiritual

Miller, K. (2022). The Science of Spirituality: 16 Tips to Build Your Spiritual Practice.

https://positivepsychology.com/science-of-spirituality/

Scott, E. (2020). What is Mindfulness? https://www.verywellmind.com/mindfulness-the-health-

and-stress-relief-benefits-3145189#toc-impact-of-mindfulness

Scott, E. (2020). What is Spirituality? https://www.verywellmind.com/how-spirituality-can-

benefit-mental-and-physical-health-3144807#toc-types-of-spirituality