Rest for the Weary Soul - Article 4 - Abstract, Keywords, and Background

Oct 15, 2026

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Many individuals turn to faith for strength, guidance, and resilience, particularly during emotional hardship. With mental health concerns rising—especially among students—the research examines how faith shapes coping mechanisms and recovery. Findings indicate high resilience and spiritual intelligence among students, and a strong positive relationship between the two. Faith is presented as a multidimensional process influencing different life areas, supporting comfort, emotional wellbeing, personal stability, and mental health recovery.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Background of the Study

Faith and coping in mental health

Faith-based approaches in Catholic education

Article metadata

Journal of Catholic Education | Volume 29 Issue 1 | Article 4 | | --- | --- | | April 2026
Rest for the Weary Soul: A Mixed Methods Psychospiritual Exploration of Faith as a Path to Mental Health Recovery among Students
Fremativo A. Vergara San Isidro College
Melvin G. Barete San Isidro College
Evan P. Taja-on San Isidro College
Follow this and additional works at: [https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/ce](https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/ce)
Part of the Catholic Studies Commons, Community Psychology Commons, Educational Sociology Commons, Other Education Commons, Religious Education Commons, and the School Psychology Commons | | Recommended Citation Vergara, F. A., Barete, M. G., & Taja-on, E. P. (2026) . Rest for the weary soul: a mixed methods psychospiritual exploration of faith as a path to mental health recovery among students. Journal of Catholic Education. 29(1), 63-85 . [https://doi.org/10.15365/joce.2901042026](https://doi.org/10.15365/joce.2901042026) This Article is brought to you for free with open access by the School of Education at Digital Commons at Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. It has been accepted for publication in Journal of Catholic Education by the journal's editorial board and has been published on the web by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons at Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School. For more information about Digital Commons, [please contact](please contact digitalcommons@lmu.edu. To contact)[ digitalcommons@lmu.edu](please contact digitalcommons@lmu.edu. To contact)[. To contact](please contact digitalcommons@lmu.edu. To contact) the editorial board of Journal of Catholic Education, please email [JCE@nd.edu](JCE@nd.edu). Rest for the Weary Soul: A Mixed Methods Psychospiritual Exploration of Faith asa Path to Mental Health Recovery among Students Cover Page Footnote The authors extend their earnest gratitude to the participants in the study and the experts who reviewed the content of the article. Their valuable insights and thoughtful advice have been instrumental in enhancing the quality and depth of this research. This article is available in Journal of Catholic Education: [https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/ce/vol29/iss1/4](https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/ce/vol29/iss1/4) Journal of Catholic Education Spring 2026, Volume 29, Issue 1, 63–85 This work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. [https://doi.org/10.15365/joce.2901042026](https://doi.org/10.15365/joce.2901042026) ARTICLE Rest for the Weary Soul: A Mixed-Methods Psychospiritual Exploration of Faith as a Path to Mental Health Recovery among Students FremativoA. Vergara 1, Melvin G. Barete 1 and Evan P. Taja-on 1 Abstract: Many individuals turn to faith for strength, guidance, and resilience, particularly at times of emotional hardship. As concerns continue to grow about mental health, particularly that of students, exploring how faith influences coping mechanisms and recovery offers valuable insights into alternative approaches to emotional wellbeing. The study found that students exhibit high levels of resilience and spiritual intelligence, suggesting that faith-based beliefs are crucial in students’ ability to cope with adversity. A strong positive correlation between resilience and spiritual intelligence indicates that students who integrate faith into their lives are more likely to develop the psychological strength needed to navigate mental health challenges. The study also found that faith is not a singular experience but a multidimensional process affecting different life areas. These findings highlight faith as a source of comfort and an active force that shapes emotional wellbeing, fosters personal stability, and enhances overall mental health recovery. Keywords: mental health, coping mechanism, faith-based practices, spirituality, resilience Background of the Study Faith has long been a source of hope and strength for many people, providing comfort during

FAQs

What is the study’s main focus regarding students’ mental health?

The study explores how faith functions as a coping mechanism and a pathway to mental health recovery among students, particularly under emotional hardship.

What relationships did the study find among resilience and spiritual intelligence?

Students show high resilience and spiritual intelligence, with a strong positive correlation suggesting that faith-integrated students may develop psychological strength for mental health challenges.

How does the article describe faith in the context of recovery?

Faith is not treated as a single experience; it is described as a multidimensional process influencing different life areas and shaping emotional wellbeing and stability.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Liam