ISSEP-2025-08

GRANT ID#: ISSEP-2025-08

GRANT TITLE: Self-transcendent experiences mediate the link between trauma and religiosity

GRANTEE: University of British Columbia

PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR: Michael Mask

CO-PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR: Steven Heine

GRANT AMOUNT: USD $3,000

DURATION OF GRANT PROJECT: April 15, 2025 – January 30, 2026

Description of the Project

 

Executive summary:

A majority of Canadians will experience a traumatic life event at some point in their lives (Statistics Canada, 2024). Trauma-survivors often turn to religion as a coping mechanism (Pargament, 1997) and religiosity is an important predictor of positive wellbeing outcomes, such as the experience of greater meaning in life (Heine and Mask, in press). However, scholars do not have a clear understanding of the mediating mechanisms linking trauma and commitments to religion. In Study 1, participants with a history of traumatic experience will be randomly assigned to think about write about either a common minor trauma or an ordinary experience, and then will rate their desire to have a self-transcendent experience. In Study 2, participants with a history of both traumatic and self-transcendent experiences will be randomly assigned to think and write about their own self-transcendent experiences (vs. ordinary experiences) and then will indicate their religiosity and spirituality. By better understanding the coping mechanisms involved in responses to trauma, our research may provide useful insights for the development of treatments for this population; additionally, such research may also provide insights into a cause of intensified religiosity.

 

Itemized budget:

Grant funding will cover the expenses detailed below:

  • Study 1. Wave 1: Prolific expense for intake survey for wave 1 (500 participants for a 2-minute survey; 0.25 GBP payment each) = 167 GBP ($211 USD). Wave 2: Prolific expense for 250 participants for a 15-minute survey (1.90 GBP payment each) = 633 GBP (~$805 USD).

  • Study 2: Wave 1: Prolific expense for intake survey for wave 1 (5000 participants for a 2-minute survey; 0.25 GBP payment each) = 1670 GBP (~$2,121 USD). The purposes of this intake survey is to recruit participants who have previously had mystical experiences. Our pilot study suggests that to recruit a sample of 250 participants who have had a mystical experience we may require an intake survey of approximately 5000 participants. Wave 2: Prolific expense for 250 participants for a 15-minute survey (1.90 GBP payment each) = 633 GBP (~$805 USD).

The project will likely cost a total of $3,942 USD, so this proposal requests the full USD $3,000 grant funding and will supplement the remaining costs with funds obtained elsewhere.

The total amount approved for this project is USD $3,000.

Kenneth Vail