higher education research institute university of california, los angeles
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Spirituality in Higher Education: A National Study of College Students’ Search for Meaning and Purpose. Higher Education Research Institute University of California, Los Angeles Funded By John Templeton Foundation. What is Spirituality?. Points to our interiors Is qualitative and affective - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Spirituality in Higher Education: A National Study of College Students’
Search for Meaning and Purpose
Higher Education Research InstituteUniversity of California, Los Angeles
Funded By John Templeton Foundation
What is Spirituality?
Points to our interiors
Is qualitative and affective
Involves our values, beliefs, meaning, and purpose
Has to do with our connectedness to others and the world around us
Refers to those elements of our lives that are difficult to define or put into words (i.e., intuition, creativity, inspiration, and the sacred)
Research Questions
How many students are actively searching and curious about spiritual issues and questions such as the meaning of life and work?
How do students view themselves in terms of spirituality and related qualities such as compassion, forgiveness, optimism, and generosity?
What spiritual/religious practices (e.g., rituals, prayer/meditation, service to others) are students most/least attracted to?
Research Questions
How do spiritual/religious practices affect students’ academic and personal development?
What is the connection between traditional religious practices and spiritual development?
What in the undergraduate experience facilitates or hinders students’ spiritual/religious quest?
Spirituality in Higher Education Project Phases
Pilot Administration to 3,600 Third-Year Students at 46 Institutions (Spring 2003)
Interviews with 85 Second-, Third-, and Fourth-Year Studentsat 6 Institutions (Fall 2003)
Full-Scale Administration to 112,000 First-Year Students at 236 Institutions (Fall 2004)
HERI Faculty Survey Administration to 65,000 Teaching Faculty at 511 Institutions (Fall 2004-Spring 2005)
Beliefs
Believe in God 79%
My spiritual/religious beliefs have been formed throughmuch personal reflection and searching
Agree: 61%
To be truly religious, a person must accept all the teachings of his/her faith
Agree: 42%
Interests and Activities
I have at least “some” interest in spirituality 80%
Discussed religion/spirituality at least “occasionally”:
With friends 80%
With family 76%
In class 65%
Do you pray? (Yes) 69%
Spiritual/Religious Beliefs …% Indicating “Agree Somewhat” or “Agree Strongly”
6967
63
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
Provide me with strength,support, and guidance
Have helped me develop myidentity
Give meaning/purpose to mylife
Feel Obligated to Follow My Parents’ Religious Practices
56
35
9
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Not at all To some extent To a great extent
Spirituality “Strengthening” Experiences
Death of close friend/family member 45%Events of September 11, 2001 42%Romantic relationship 36%Personal injury/illness 34%New ideas encountered in classes 31%War in Iraq 29%Natural disaster 24%Parents’ divorce/separation 18%
Current Views about Religious/Spiritual Matters
1015 15
23
42
0
10
20
30
40
50
Doubting Conflicted Not Interested Seeking Secure
Expectations about My Religious Beliefs
72
58
0
20
40
60
80
I do not expect my religious convictions to change in thenext few years
There is at least "some" chance I will strengthen my religiousbeliefs/convictions
Scales
Spirituality α=.88
“Agree” that we are all spiritual beings 69%
Goal: Seeking out opportunities to help me grow spiritually
“Very important” or “Essential”: 47%
Goal: Integrating spirituality into my life“Very important” or “Essential”: 41%
Religious Engagement α=.87
Engages at least “weekly” in: Religious singing/chanting 30%Reading sacred texts 27%Other reading on religion/spirituality 21%
“Frequently”: Attended a religious service 42%Attended class/workshop/retreat on matters
related to religion/spirituality 14%
Religious Commitment α=.93
My spiritual/religious beliefs provide me with strength, support, and guidance
Agree: 69%
I find religion to be personally helpful
Agree: 68%
I gain spiritual strength by trusting in Higher Power
Agree: 65%
Religious/Social Conservatism α=.72
Abortion should be legal
Disagree: 48%
People who don’t believe in God will be punished
Agree: 37%
Conception of God: Father-figure
Agree: 35%
Religious Struggle α=.75
“Frequently”:
Struggled to understand evil, suffering, and death 15%
Felt distant from God 14%
Questioned religious/spiritual beliefs 14%
Disagreed with family about religious matters 13%
Felt angry with God 7%
Religious Skepticism α=.83
Agree “Strongly” or “Somewhat”:
I have never felt a sense of sacredness 31%
In the future, science will be able to explain
everything 31%
The universe arose by chance 26%
Whether or not there is a Supreme Being
doesn’t matter to me 26%
Ecumenical Worldview α=.70
Love is at the root of all the great religions:
Agree: 72%
Most people can grow spiritually without being religious
Agree: 64%
I have an interest in different religious traditions
To “some” or “great” extent: 61%
Spiritual Quest α=.85
“Very Important” or “Essential” Personal Goals:
Attaining wisdom 77%
Becoming a more loving person 67%
Improving the human condition 54%
Attaining inner harmony 49%
Finding answers to the mysteries of life 45%
Developing a meaningful philosophy of life 42%
Ethic of Caring α=.79
“Very Important” or “Essential” goals:
Helping others who are in difficulty 63%
Reducing pain and suffering in the world 55%
Becoming a community leader 31%
Charitable Involvement α=.74
“Frequently”:
Performed volunteer work 26%
Donated money to charity 14%
Participated in community food or clothing drives 11%
Equanimity α=.76
Describes Me “To a Great Extent”:
Being thankful for all that has happened to me 52%
Feeling good about the direction in which my life
is headed 49%
Seeing each day, good or bad, as a gift 40%
Feeling a strong connection to all humanity 16%
Compassionate Self-Concept α=.78
Self-rated KindnessAbove average: 75%
Self-rated GenerosityAbove average: 67%
Self-rated ForgivenessAbove average: 56%
Intended Major
and Spirituality
Spirituality by Intended Major (% high scorers)
Highest
Music 39
Humanities 30
Fine Arts 25
Lowest
Computer Science 11
Business 13
Architecture 14
Religious Commitment by Intended Major (% high scorers)
Highest
Humanities 32
Education 28
Health Professions 28 Lowest
Business 18
Undecided 19
Engineering 19
Ecumenical Worldviewby Intended Major (% high scorers)
Highest
Humanities 25
Political Science 24
Fine Arts 21 Lowest
Agriculture 3
Computer Science 7
Engineering 8
Spiritual Questby Intended Major (% high scorers)
HighestHumanities 38Fine Arts 36Music 35
LowestAgriculture 8Computer Science 15Engineering 17
Equanimityby Intended Major (% high scorers)
HighestMusic 31Humanities 30Political Science 27
LowestComputer Science 14Engineering 18Business 18
Race and Spirituality
Spiritualityby Race (% “high scorers”)
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 25American Indian/Alaska Native 24African American/Black 24White/Caucasian 17Latino 17Asian American/Asian 14
Religious Commitmentby Race (% “high scorers”)
African American/Black 47American Indian/Alaska Native 32Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 29White/Caucasian 25Latino 23Asian American/Asian 22
Ecumenical Worldviewby Race (% “high scorers”)
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 24American Indian/Alaska Native 19Latino 18Asian American/Asian 18African American/Black 16White/Caucasian 12
Spiritual Questby Race (% “high scorers”)
African American/Black 36American Indian/Alaska Native 34Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 34Latino 28Asian American/Asian 27White/Caucasian 23
Equanimityby Race (% “high scorers”)
African American/Black 33Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 28American Indian/Alaska Native 27Latino 23White/Caucasian 22Asian American/Asian 19
Gender and Spirituality
Gender Differences on Factors% High Scorers
31 3027
2522
20
28
21 2219
16
10
0
15
30
45
Compassionate Self-Concept
ReligiousCommitment
Spiritual Quest Equanimity ReligiousEngagement
CharitableInvolvement
Women
Men
Gender Differences on Factors% High Scorers
19 1816
14 1411
1513
10
21
1310
0
15
30
45
Spirituality Religious/SocialConservatism
EcumenicalWorldview
ReligiousSkepticism
Ethic of Caring ReligiousStruggle
Women
Men
Preliminary findings on gender differences in spirituality
We explored gender differences in spirituality using two survey items included in our longitudinal pilot data:
The value students placed on “integrating spirituality into my life”
Students’ self-rated “spirituality”
We identified the variables that predicted changes in these items during college for women compared to men.
Preliminary findings on gender differences in spirituality
College experiences that impact men’s and women’s spirituality similarly…
Discussions on spirituality/religion with friends or in class (+)
Charitable Involvement (+)
Preliminary findings on gender differences in spirituality
College experiences that impact men’s and women’s spirituality differently…
Hours per week spent studying/doing homework (- for men)
Majoring in one of the science disciplines
(- for men)
Preliminary findings on gender differences in spirituality
College experiences that impact men’s and women’s spirituality differently…
Having many close friends who are religious
(+ for both genders, but stronger for women)
Preliminary findings on gender differences in spirituality
The spiritual differences we observe are not necessarily “innate” gendered qualities, but are influenced by contextual factors and student experiences in the college environment.
Spirituality, Religion, and Political Orientation
Percentages of High Scorers on Each of Eight Scales Who Are Conservative and Liberal
47
39
2927
2522
15 1415
24
3027
34
43
4845
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
ReligiousEngagement
Spirituality CharitableInvolvement
CompassionateSelf-Concept
Spiritual Quest
Ethic of Caring
EcumenicalWorldview
ReligiousSkepticism
Conservative
Liberal
Political and Social Issues
23
15
28
19
7767
76
49
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Support legalizedabortion
Believe casual sex isokay
Support same-sexmarriage
Support legalizingmarijuana
High ReligiousEngagementLow ReligiousEngagement
High vs. Low Religious Engagement
Diverging Perspectives On:Legalized abortionCasual sexSame-sex marriageLegalization of marijuana
Political and Social Issues
75
51
25 23
61
78
55
2118
55
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Support guncontrol
Support abolishingaffirmative action
in collegeadmissions
Believe racialdiscrimination isno longer a major
problem
Believe women'sroles best at home
Believe there istoo much concern
for criminals'rights
HighReligiousEngagement
LowReligiousEngagement
High vs. Low Religious Engagement
Converging Perspectives On: Issues of raceRights of criminalsWomen’s rolesGun control
Percent agreeing that “The death penalty should be abolished”
36
30
42
26
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
HighReligious
Engagement
Low ReligiousEngagement
HighSpirituality
LowSpirituality
Religious Differences
Spiritualityby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
56
36
3027 27
22 20 20 20
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Mormon 7th DayAdventist
Other Christian Baptist Unitarian Presbyterian Methodist UCC Quaker
Spiritualityby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
19 19 17 15 14 14 13 129
5
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Buddhist Episcopalian Church ofChrist
Lutheran Catholic Islamic EasternOrthodox
Hindu Jewish None
Self-description: Have an interest in spirituality, “to a great extent”
Highest on Spirituality
Mormon 66
7th Day Adventist 52
Other Christian 52
Lowest on Spirituality
No religious preference 10
Jewish 17
Hindu 23
Religious Engagementby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
58
50
40 39
3024 23 22 20
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Mormon 7th DayAdventist
OtherChristian
Baptist Presbyterian Islamic Methodist Church ofChrist
UCC
Religious Engagementby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
18 17 16 16 14 127 6
3 10
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Lutheran Episcopalian Quaker Hindu Catholic EasternOrthodox
Jewish Buddhist Unitarian None
Attended religious services “frequently”
Highest on Religious Engagement
Mormon 78
7th Day Adventist 76
Other Christian 61 Lowest on Religious Engagement
No religious preference 4
Unitarian 24
Buddhist 10
Religious/Social Conservatismby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
3937 36
23 2321 20 19
15
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Baptist Mormon OtherChristian
Presbyterian Islamic 7th DayAdventist
Church ofChrist
Methodist Lutheran
Religious/Social Conservatismby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
1411
9 85
1 1 1 0 00
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Quaker UCC Catholic Episcopalian EasternOrthodox
None Jewish Hindu Buddhist Unitarian
Agree “strongly” that abortion should be legal
Highest on Religious/Social Conservatism
Baptist 13
Mormon 11Other Christian 14
Lowest on Religious/Social Conservatism
Unitarian 67
Buddhist 34
Hindu 28
Religious Skepticismby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
54
45
35 33
2420
15 1410
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
None Unitarian Jewish Buddhist Quaker Hindu EasternOrthodox
Episcopalian Methodist
Religious Skepticismby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
10 9 9 8 7 6 6 5 4 2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Catholic Church ofChrist
Lutheran UCC Presbyterian 7th DayAdventist
Islamic OtherChristian
Baptist Mormon
Religion and science conflict; I am on the side of science
Highest on Religious SkepticismNone 42Unitarian 29Jewish 22
Lowest on Religious SkepticismMormon 0Baptist 3Other Christian 4
Ecumenical Worldviewby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
44
3027
21 20 20 20 19 19
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Unitarian Hindu Buddhist Quaker Episcopalian Islamic Jewish EasternOrthodox
Mormon
Ecumenical Worldviewby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
16 15 14 13 12 11 11 10 9 9
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
7th DayAdventist
None Catholic Presbyterian UCC OtherChristian
Methodist Lutheran Baptist Church ofChrist
Agree “strongly” that people can grow spiritually without being religious
Highest on Ecumenical Worldview
Unitarian 55
Hindu 25
Buddhist 35 Lowest on Ecumenical Worldview
Church of Christ 14
Baptist 11
Lutheran 14
Ethic of Caringby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
30
26
2321
1816 16 16
14 14
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Unitarian Islamic Buddhist Hindu Jewish Episcopalian Quaker Mormon Baptist EasternOrthodox
Ethic of Caringby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
14 14 13 13 12 12 11 10 10
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
7th DayAdventist
Church ofChrist
UCC None Catholic OtherChristian
Presbyterian Methodist Lutheran
Engaged in trying to change unfair things in the world “to a great extent”
Highest on Ethic of Caring
Unitarian 26
Islamic 21
Buddhist 19 Lowest on Ethic of Caring
Lutheran 10
Methodist 12
Presbyterian 11
Religious Differences
Two religious “clusters”:
Spiritual, religious, and conservative
Skeptical, pluralistic, and justice-oriented
Compassionate Self-Conceptby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
41 40
36 35 34 34 33 33 33 33
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Islamic Hindu Unitarian 7th DayAdventist
EasternOrthodox
Quaker Episcopalian OtherChristian
Church ofChrist
Jewish
Compassionate Self-Conceptby Religious Preference (% high scorers)
33 32 32 3230 30 29
2624
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Mormon UCC Baptist Buddhist Presbyterian Catholic Methodist Lutheran None
Students’ Spiritual Diversity
Spiritual perspectives and experiences vary widely and are associated with a range of student characteristics.
While these characteristics distinguish students, there are also important points of convergence.
As we serve students and study their experiences in college, we must remain mindful of how these multifaceted identity markers interact with their spirituality.
Spirituality
and Higher Education
Expectations for My College% Indicating “Very Important” or “Essential”
69 6763
48
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Enhances my self-understanding
Helps develop my personalvalues
Provides for my emotionaldevelopment
Encourages personalexpression of spirituality
Professors Provided …% Indicating “Frequently” and “Not at all”
8 8
6256
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Encouragement to discussreligious/spiritual matters
Opportunities to discuss thepurpose/meaning of life
FrequentlyNot at all
Faculty Spirituality
Consider myself a spiritual person (%“to a great extent”) 48
Integrating spirituality in my life (%“very important” or “essential”) 47
Seek out opportunities to grow spiritually(%“to a great extent”) 32
Faculty Spirituality Factor α=.88
Self Descriptions:
● Consider myself a spiritual person
● Seek out opportunities to grow spiritually
Personal Goal:
● Integrate spirituality in my life
Highly Spiritual and Religious…
70
1813
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
"To a Great Extent" "To Some Extent" "Not at All"
General Work Values (% “essential”)
Spirituality
High Low Diff
Be a good teacher 81 62 -19
Be a role model to students 62 30 -32
Be a good colleague 58 35 -23
Student Personal Development Focus (% “very important” or “essential”)
Spirituality High Low Diff
Develop moral character 76 32 -44Enhance self understanding 71 41 -30 Help develop personal values 68 29 -39 Provide for emotional dev. 52 16 -36Facilitate meaning/purpose search 54 16 -38Enhance spiritual development 44 1 -43
Civic Minded Values (% “very important” or “essential”)
Spirituality
High Low Diff
Goals for Undergraduates
Prepare for responsible citizenship 70 45 -25
Instill commitment to community service 51 18 -33
Personal Objectives
Influence social values 49 24 -25
Influence the political structure 21 16 -5
Civic Minded Practice (% “yes” in past two years)
Spirituality High Low DiffUsed my scholarship to address local community needs 56 31 -25
Collaborated with the local community in research/ teaching 46 31 -15
Colleges Should be Concerned with
Students’ Spiritual Development (% “agree”)
“Other” Religious Colleges 69 Catholic Colleges 62
Private Nonsectarian Colleges 39 Private Universities 37
Two Year Colleges 29 Public Colleges 23 Public Universities 18
Spirituality of Faculty Has No Place in the Academy (% “disagree”)
“Other” Religious Colleges 78 Catholic Colleges 71
Private Nonsectarian Colleges 61 Two Year Colleges 59
Private Universities 58 Public Colleges 53 Public Universities
49
Next Steps
National Institute on Integrating Spirituality into the Campus Curriculum and Co-Curriculum
(Fall 2007)
Longitudinal Follow Up of the 2004 Entering Freshmen Cohort (Spring 2007)
Second CIRP/CSBV Administration to Entering Freshmen(Fall 2008)
For more information:
www.spirituality.ucla.edu