Impact of a Digital Spiritual Process on Mental Well-being

Abstract

Background: The current definition of mental health per the World Health Organization (WHO) encompasses an individual’s emotional well-being and sense of interconnectedness with others. The Covid-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented burden of psychological distress primarily due to emotional stress and social isolation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effect of a digital spiritual process known as Maitri ShaktiPravaah, which has shown promising results in a prior pilot study, on a subject’s mental well-being. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, eligible participants attended the digital program via Zoom platform. During the program, a pre-process Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) survey instrument was administered and the responses were collected anonymously. The participants then underwent the digital spiritual process called ‘Maitri ShaktiPravaah’. After 21 days, a post process WEMWBS Scale was re-administered anonymously to the same participants via the same zoom online program format. The pre-process and post-process scores for each statement on the WEMWBS Scale was compared. Results: A total of 420 participants enrolled and completed the study. A statistically significant positive difference was noted in the participant’s energy levels. An improved self-confidence was appreciated in females, and an overall augmented sense of feeling loved and deeper awareness of kinship was present in majority of the participants after the process. Conclusion: Maitri ShaktiPravaah, an online spiritual process showed a positive impact on the participant’s mental state thus paving way to further research of similar online spiritual processes which can engage mass audiences on a digital platform.