SPIRITUALITY AND HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS, IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP? (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Numerous literary works highlight the relevance of Religiosity and Spirituality (R/S). Aiming to broaden the understanding of these concepts, a study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 2009, identifying specific brain regions that are associated with social cognition related to R/S. This study aims to evaluate the influence of human interactions on spirituality. To achieve this objective, the following steps were taken: (1) approval by the Ethics Committee; (2) data collection; (3) analysis. Data collection involved the use of a questionnaire for sociodemographic characterization and the adapted Schedule for Meaning in Life Evaluation (SMiLE) through Google Forms, together with the Informed Consent Form (TCLE). 105 participants aged 18 years or older completed the questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using statistics, descriptive measures and graphs. The sample consisted of participants aged between 18 and 24 years (53.4%), with incomplete higher education (41.7%) and belief in God (68.9%). The most selected areas were the personal area (93.2%) and the social area (78.6%), although a higher percentage was expected in the social area. When discussing the results, three factors were considered: (1) the age of the sample, which corresponds to an age group that promotes awareness and internal reflection; (2) the Dunning-Kruger Effect, which broadens self-perception; (3) the notion that interpersonal interaction based on belief in God is an imaginary construct. The sample analysis indicates that the influence of human relationships on spirituality is lower than the influence of the personal area. Given the complexity of the subject, the limitations of the sample and the interviewees' difficulties in understanding the subject, it is suggested that further research be carried out to elucidate obscure points.