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Effects of School-Based Ignatian Examen Meditation on Well-Being, Gratitude, Hope, and Spirituality in Hong Kong Catholic Primary School Students
Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong
Summary
This study aims to investigate the effects of Ignatian Examen Meditation on students' psychological well-being, gratitude, hope, and spirituality. Specifically, it examines whether participation in Examen Meditation improves emotional well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, enhancing students' sense of gratitude and hope, and strengthening spiritual development. The study also explores the lived experiences of students and teachers who participate in the programme. Regarding significance, this study addresses the lack of empirical studies examining Examen Meditation in Asian educational settings. The findings will provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of a Catholic contemplative practice in supporting students' mental health and spiritual formation. It may contribute to the development of school-based well-being programmes in Catholic schools by demonstrating the potential benefits of Examen Meditation for psychological well-being, the sense of gratitude and hope and spiritual growth.
Official title: The Effects of Ignatian Examen Meditation Implemented in Different School-Based Formats on Psychological Well-Being, Gratitude, Hope, and Spirituality of Hong Kong Catholic Primary School Students
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
9 Years - 12 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
360
Start Date
2026-10-01
Completion Date
2027-08-01
Last Updated
2026-10-05
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Examen Meditation
Examen Meditation, rooted in Ignatian spirituality, is increasingly promoted in some Catholic schools. It is used as a daily prayer or reflection practice at the end of the day, rooted in the Roman Catholic spiritual tradition. The Examen is traditionally composed of five steps (Light, Gratitude, Review the Day, Face my Weaknesses, and Look Toward Tomorrow) and requires approximately 10 minutes to complete. In Hong Kong, there are limited schools that use Examen Meditation as their common practice. The present study aims to address this distinction by examining the effects of an Ignatian Examen Meditation implemented in Catholic primary schools on Hong Kong students' psychological well-being, sense of gratitude and hope, and spirituality. Moreover, it investigates differences in implementation formats across various delivery formats using a mixed-methods design, with an active comparison condition. It also explores how both the teachers and students experience the Examen Meditation.
Locations (1)
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong