title: A Longitudinal Case Study: The Development of Exceptional Human Experiences of Senior Ecclesiastical Professionals in the Catholic Church.
abstract: Exceptional human experiences (EHEs) impact on health and well-being and can contribute to enhanced intercultural and interreligious awareness and understanding. The aim of this longitudinal study was to explore the development of EHEs in a group of senior professionals in the German Catholic Church. Exceptional human experiences were measured through the EEQ in pre- and post-test questionnaires which were qualitatively analysed. The results of this study reflect an increase in the frequency of positive spiritual experiences and visionary dream encounters, as well as a more positive evaluation of these spiritual phenomena. The findings seem to suggest that it is possible to raise people's awareness of spiritual practices and to enhance intercultural and interreligious competence through training interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, University of South Africa (UNISA), 3-114, AJH van der Walt Building, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0003, South Africa.
authors.forename: Claude-Hélène
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, University of South Africa (UNISA), 3-114, AJH van der Walt Building, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0003, South Africa.
authors.forename: Rian
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Viviers
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, University of South Africa (UNISA), 3-114, AJH van der Walt Building, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0003, South Africa. flotma@unisa.ac.za.
authors.forename: Aden-Paul
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Flotman
authors.affiliation: Personal Referee for Interreligious Dialogue, Bistum Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Detlef
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schneider-Stengel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002410:Catholicism / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Exceptional human experiences; German Catholic Church; Interculture; Spirituality; Training