Story perspectives

Study Reveals Key Factors in Pilgrimage Spiritual Growth

4/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

The study in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality analyzes spiritual growth among pilgrims from Taiwan, Japan, and Spain.
Researchers interviewed 15 participants who completed pilgrimages to understand motivations and experiences.
They identify six factors influencing growth: yearning for change, vulnerability, self-connection, deep reflection, external connection, and stability.
The findings show pilgrimages rebuild inner balance through physical and sensory experiences, fostering gratitude and compassion, but the small, homogeneous sample limits generalizability.

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Story summary

The study in Psychology of Religion and Spirituality analyzes spiritual growth among pilgrims from Taiwan, Japan, and Spain.
Researchers interviewed 15 participants who completed pilgrimages to understand motivations and experiences.
They identify six factors influencing growth: yearning for change, vulnerability, self-connection, deep reflection, external connection, and stability.
The findings show pilgrimages rebuild inner balance through physical and sensory experiences, fostering gratitude and compassion, but the small, homogeneous sample limits generalizability.