The Effects of Centering Prayer on Undergraduate Everyday Stress

Erin M. Prodgers & Christopher Peet

This study investigated the effects of centering prayer on undergraduate students’ everyday stress. Our hypothesis was that regular practice of centering prayer would decrease everyday stress. This hypothesis was tested using 26 students at The King’s University. The centering prayer practice was undertaken twice daily for twenty minutes per session for seven weeks. Everyday stress was measured prior to and after the centering prayer practice using the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen & Williamson, 2011) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults (Spielberger, 1983).  Pre-test qualitative data was also obtained to ascertain the subjects’ prior degree of knowledge and experience with centering prayer, while at post-test their experiences and perceptions of undertaking centering prayer practice were gathered. Our results supported the hypothesis that centering prayer practice reduces everyday stress in undergraduate students.

Poster presentation presented at the University of Saskatchewan Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference, held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, April 7, 2018.

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