Telephone number:	+31 (0)71 527 2562
E-Mail:	e.de.boer@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Faculty / Department:	Faculteit der Geesteswetenschappen, Leids Instituut Godsdienstwetenschappen
Office Address:	Witte Singel-complex Matthias de Vrieshof 1 2311 BZ Leiden Room number 0.04b

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Teaching

• inleiding sociale wetenschappen (BA1)
• godsdienstpsychologie (BA2)
• methoden en technieken I (BA2)
• methoden en technieken II (BA2)
• methoden en technieken III (BA3)
• de klassieken (BA, keuzevak)
• de multireligieuze context van geestelijke verzorging (BA, keuzevak)
• psychology of religion: religion, sensemaking and spirituality (MA)

Research

Dr Elpine de Boer (1971) is specialized in the field of psychology of religion & spirituality and social and clinical psychology (e.g., De Boer, 2003) - in which she studied the quality of interpersonal relationships (e.g., fairness, trust, morality, culture) on mental health (e.g., stress, burnout, depression) and behavior (e.g., group withdrawal). In her research on psychology of religion and spirituality she applies social and clinical psychological theories and methods. De Boer uses qualitative (e.g., in-depth interview techniques) as well as quantitive analysis methods (e.g., Spss, Amos) to answer her research questions, and likes to cooperate with colleagues from different disciplines (e.g., social psychology, sociology, philosophy).

In her work she focusses on new forms of sensemaking and religion (e.g., De Boer, 2006) and prefers broad definitions of religion and spirituality. For example, religion or spirituality can be defined as ‘whatever we as individuals do to come to grips personally with the questions that confront us because we are aware that we and others like us are alive and that we will die’ (Batson et al., 1993) or ‘a way of being and experiencing that comes about through awareness of a transcendent dimension and that is characterized by certain identifiable values in regard to self, life, and whatever one considers to be the Ultimate (Elkins et et al, 1988). At this moment the following three themes have her particular interest:

(1)   Existential themes: For instance, what (e.g., experiences, work circumstances, social interactions) makes people feel that they are alive and human beings ? How do (non)religious people nowadays deal with existential issues such as death, freedom, isolation, meaninglessness, groundlessness? When are modern people confronted with (or aware of) existential issues? (How) do spiritual or religious practices (e.g., meditation, prayer, mindfulness, self-transcendence) help dealing with these issues? And how are certain practices related to mental health and attitudes of joy and courage towards life or the opposite, fear of life, depression, stress, anger towards God or life? 
(2)   Consciousness, boundaries and the self: contact with unseen realities or ‘the sacred’: For instance, (how) do human beings differ in the extent to which they feel connected with others or with God or the universe or other unseen or sacred realities? When do they consider this so-called unseen reality as real, true or important? And (how) is this related to individual or personality differences in consciousness levels, perceived boundaries between self and others, the ability to self-transcendence, perspectivetaking, empathy, sensitivity of environmental stimuli or people’s moods? Moreover, is there a relationship with mental health (e.g., happiness, closeness, love or the opposite self-loss, self-infiltration, confusion) ?
(3)   Religion and regulating relationships: Religions all over the world emphasize the importance of relational values such as compassion, empathy, solidarity, love, and respect. This theme focusses on (1) the importance of non-sacred relational outcomes for (religious) people (e.g., belongingness to a social group, social identity) and how religion may help to provide these relational outcomes, and (2) how religion or spirituality may influence social interactions between people (e.g., empathy, respect, justice, forgiveness, ingroup-outgroup thinking, moral behavior).

Selected Publications

De Boer, E.M. (2006). Je bent jong en je wilt anders. 245 jongeren over wat hen bezighoudt en inspireert. Met een handreiking voor gemeente en parochie door Hannie van der Boog- Piels. Uitgeverij Kok Kampen. ISBN: 90 435 1260 5.  
De Boer, E.M.  (2004), Stressklachten, ziekteverzuim en ervaren procedurele onrechtvaardigheid, Arbo, 41-45. Deventer: Kluwer.
De Boer, E.M. (2003). Organizational fairness, well-being and sickness absenteeism. It’s all about the manner in which…’. Universiteit Utrecht, ISBN  90-393-3580-X.  
De Boer, E.M., Bakker, A.B., Syroit, J.E., & Schaufeli, W.B. (2002). Unfairness at work as a predictor of Absenteeism. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 23, 181-197.  
De Boer, E.M. (1996). Organisatiecultuur en het welzijn van oudere werknemers. In: Krijnen-Stellingen, M.A. & Schabracq, M.J. Utrecht: Lemma.