A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Psychological Benefits of a Daily Examen-Based Practice.
Thomas G Plante, David B Feldman, Jacqueline Ge, Anthony Cortese
Journal of religion and health April 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-025-02259-w
Summary
Engaging in an Examen-based practice can significantly enhance life meaning and satisfaction. In a study involving 115 university students, those who participated in this two-week daily reflection and prayer routine reported notable improvements: 63% felt a boost in hope, while 57% experienced increased life satisfaction. This practice, rooted in Jesuit spirituality, functions similarly to meditation and mindfulness, providing valuable coping strategies for stress and anxiety. The findings highlight its potential as both a spiritual and secular tool for personal growth.
Abstract
This is a randomized controlled trial of an Examen-based practice, an intervention reflecting a five-step daily reflection and prayer practice developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Catholic Jesuit order. Like other practices (e.g., mindfulness, yoga), this practice can be used as a spiritual or secular intervention to help people with a variety of challenges and stressors. In this exploratory study, 57 university students were randomly assigned to a two-week daily Examen-based condition, while 58 students were assigned to a wait-list control condition. Questionnaires measuring hope, life meaning, satisfaction with life, mindfulness, compassion, stress, anxiety, and depression were administered pre- and post-intervention and subsequently at two-week follow-up. Significant differences were found for conditions on the measures of life meaning, satisfaction with life, and hope, suggesting that the Examen-based practice produces improvements in individuals' global evaluations of their lives as well as their perceptions of the future. Suggestions for further research are offered.