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 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 115 |
| Population | University students |
| Intervention | Examen-based practice |
| Duration | Two-week daily intervention, two-week follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Catholic Gratitude Jesuit Prayer Spiritual practices |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | The Examen-based practice produced significant improvements in life meaning, satisfaction with life, and hope compared to a wait-list control. |
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.