Spirituality, social justice, and intercultural competence: Mediator effects for differentiation of self

The present study tested the relationships between spirituality, differentiation of self (DoS), social justice commitment, and intercultural competence among graduate trainees in the helping professions. The sample consisted of 139 graduate students at a Protestant-affiliated university. Results supported the hypotheses that DoS would mediate the relationships between spiritual well-being and both social justice commitment and intercultural competence. DoS also mediated the relationship between spiritual instability and intercultural competence, but this was not observed for the links between spiritual instability and social justice commitment. Implications are considered for training in intercultural competence and social justice, particularly with highly religious trainees.

► Differentiation of self mediates the relationships between (a) spirituality and intercultural competence and (b) spirituality and social justice commitment. ► Intercultural competence and social justice commitment are unique factors. ► We examine training implications for connecting spirituality, intercultural competence, and social justice.