The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine Electronic Theses and Dissertations Fogler Library 2005 Spiritual Development: An Exploratory Study of Women's Views on the Connection between Spirituality and Sexuality Hannah C. Osborne Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd Part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Osborne, Hannah C., "Spiritual Development: An Exploratory Study of Women's Views on the Connection between Spirituality and Sexuality" (2005). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 455. http://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd/455 This Open-Access Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF WOMEN'S VIEWS ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SPIRITUALITY AND SEXUALITY BY Hannah C. Osborne B. A. University of Maine, 1973 A THESIS Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (in Human Development) The Graduate School The University of Maine December, 2005 Advisory Committee: Sandra L. Caron, Professor of Family Relations, Advisor Phyllis Brazee, Associate Professor of Education Mary Ellin Logue, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education O 2005 Hannah C. Osborne All Rights Reserved SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF WOMEN'S VIEWS ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SPIRITUALITY AND SEXUALITY By Hannah C. Osborne Thesis Advisor: Dr. Sandra Caron An Abstract of the Thesis Presented In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (in Human Development) December, 2005 This study examines the spiritual dimension within human development by looking at the ways in which spirituality is defined, how growth may take place and how one aspect of its connection with other dimensions is experienced. In a survey designed to investigate connection between spirituality and sexuality, 33 women in mid-life and beyond reported experiencing such a connection. Information was obtained by means of a 25-question survey. Analysis of the surveys shows that for these respondents sexual experience does involve characteristics that are spiritual in nature. This study contributes to the foundation upon which further investigation may serve to expand the understanding of spirituality and its development. The potential for understanding intimacy-connectednesswith others and with the Divine is abundant for examination. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Throughout the process of completing this thesis I have been encouraged and supported by a number of individuals to whom I am grateful. First and foremost my thanks go to my advisor, Dr. Caron. Her direction and assistance allowed me to give voice to my lifelong interest in both spirituality and sexuality in a way that can be meaningful, not only to myself, but to others as well. Thank you for giving me the courage to address the intimate dynamic of how the connection between spirituality and sexuality is experienced. To Dr. MacKnee, thank you for providing me with information from your own investigation of the subject for my use, as well as your blessings to do so. And I am enormously grateful to Dr. Ogden, not only for her seminal work in integrating sexuality and spirituality, but also for her gracious permission to use her survey questions in this investigation. Thank you for your significant contribution to the conversation about this important topic. And thank you for your encouragement with my own small investigation and attempt to supplement the data. I am also grateful to the women who participated in this study. Their courage and willingness to contribute their personal experience of the connection between spirituality and sexuality is most meaningful. Finally, I am thankful to my family and friends who have supported me in my quest to understand the connections among the dimensions of human existence. TABLE OF CONTENTS ... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................111 Chapter 1. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ............................................................1 Defining Spirituality ...........................................................................3 Developmental Theories of Spiritual Growth ..............................................10 Transition Theories of Spiritual Growth ....................................................13 Awareness, Consciousness and Enlightenment within Spiritual Growth ..............14 The Search for Connection ...................................................................21 Gender and Sexuality .........................................................................22 Purpose of the Study ..........................................................................26 Research Questions ..........................................................................-26 2 . METHOD ......................................................................................-28 Sample ...........................................................................................28 Procedure .......................................................................................29 Survey Questions ..............................................................................29 Data Analysis .................................................................................-30 3 . RESULTS ........................................................................................31 Research Question 1.......................................................................... 31 Research Question 2 ..........................................................................35 Research Question 3 ..........................................................................36 4 . DISCUSSION ...................................................................................37 Research Questions ..........................................................................-37 ... Limitations .....................................................................................3 8 . Impllcatlons and Conclusions ................................................................39 REFERENCES ......................................................................................41 APPENDICES .......................................................................................46 Appendix A: Unitarian Universalist Church Principles & Purposes ...................47 Appendix B: Pastor Letter ..................................................................-48 Appendix C: Recruiting LetterIParticipant Consent Form ..............................49 Appendix D: Survey Questionnaire ........................................................-50 Appendix E: Handout of Suggested Readings for Participants .........................55 Appendix F: Question 25 Narrative Comments ..........................................-60 BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR ...............................................................62 Chapter 1 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE As we enter a new millennium the nature of human development is being examined across an expanding range of aspects. The investigation of spirituality and spiritual development is an area that is gaining recognition as "the domain of ultimate concern" as posited by theologian Paul Tillich (cited in Vaughn, 2002, p. 16). This paper focuses on one aspect of spiritual development within human development and the importance of its consideration by individuals engaged in the study of human development and the application of those studies. Indeed, most of the world's population identifies itself as spiritual or religious (Chopra, 2000; Worthington, 1989). This aspect of the individual may be critically related to the degree of success in accomplishing normal developmental tasks throughout the life span, as well as transitioning through crisis and challenging conditions (Chopra, 2000,2003; Coles, 1997; Gibson, 2004; Plante & Sherman, 2001; Ruumet, 1997; Scheindlin, 2003; Scott, 2003; Spohn, 1997; Tolle, 1999; Vaughn, 2002; Wilber, 1996; Worthington, 1989). Additionally, a correlation can be made between an individual's spiritual awareness and their sense of well being (MacDonald & Friedman, 2002; Mascaro, Rosen, & Morey, 2004; Vaughn, 2002). The implications of determining what defines spirituality and how it develops may lie in determining the means by which to measure and enhance this important element of human development. In the words of Scott, attending to spiritual development will "help in the process of recognizing and valuing (our) full humanity.. ." (2003, p. 130). As the definition of spirituality broadens and spiritual development is appreciated as an integral dynamic within overall human development, it is important to gain a better understanding of the ways in which this ultimate connection is sought. The literature reviewed in this investigation spans 32 years of inquiry into understanding spirituality and spiritual development. This review indicates that it is only in the last decade that attention has been focused significantly on exploring differences in the ways the genders experience ,the spiritual dimension of being and its development (Johnson, 200 1; Ogden, 1999,2002; Ruumet, 1997; Vaughn, 2002; Wilber, 1996,2000, 2001). In this regard, sexuality as a vehicle for the perception of and connection to the Ultimate life source has gained focus. As posited by MacKnee, "Human