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Spiritual Bypass: A Preliminary Investigation

Craig S. Cashwell, Harriet L. Glosoff, Chereé Hammond

Counseling and Values April 1, 2010 DOI: 10.1002/j.2161-007x.2010.tb00014.x (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study Peer reviewed
Population College students
Citations 44
Key findings Mindfulness and alexithymia accounted for variance in depression beyond spirituality, and mindfulness, alexithymia, and narcissism accounted for variance in anxiety beyond spirituality.

Abstract

The phenomenon of spiritual bypass has received limited attention in the transpersonal psychology and counseling literature and has not been subjected to empirical inquiry. This study examines the phenomenon of spiritual bypass by considering how spirituality, mindfulness, alexithymia (emotional restrictiveness), and narcissism work together to influence depression and anxiety among college students. Results suggested that mindfulness and alexithymia accounted for variance in depression beyond what is accounted for by spirituality and that all 3 factors (mindfulness, alexithymia, and narcissism) accounted for variance in anxiety beyond what is accounted for by spirituality. Implications for counselors are provided.