Spiritual Well-Being as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Spiritual Behavior and Emotional Exhaustion in Pastors

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the relationship between spiritual discipline, spiritual well-being, and emotional exhaustion in pastors. Past research has indicated that pastors rely on a variety of systems, including spiritual behavior, to help them in dealing with burnout (Chandler, 2010; Meek et al., 2003). Spiritual well-being is also an important feature for pastors in dealing with burnout (Chandler, 2009; McMinn et al., 2005). However, specific ways in which spiritual well-being and spiritual behavior relate to each other with regard to burnout in pastors is not completely understood. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981) and the Clergy Spiritual Wellbeing Scale (Proeschold-Bell et al., 2014) along with a Spiritual Behavior Questionnaire were used to measure emotional exhaustion, spiritual well-being, and spiritual behavior. Results indicate that spiritual well-being and emotional exhaustion negatively related to each other, spiritual discipline related positively to spiritual well-being, and that spiritual well-being mediated the relationship between spiritual behavior and emotional exhaustion. High levels of spiritual well-being predicted lower levels of emotional exhaustion. These findings suggest that spiritual well-being serves an important role when it comes to pastors’ spiritual behavior and emotional exhaustion.