The Relationship The Relationship between Status of between Status of

Identity Development Identity Development and Maturity of Faithand Maturity of Faith

Faculty ConferenceFaculty Conference

October 8, 2004October 8, 2004

Questions Commonly Asked Questions Commonly Asked by College Studentsby College Students

Who am I?Who am I? What should I do?What should I do?

What is the meaning of life?What is the meaning of life?

Purpose of StudyPurpose of Study

Identity Faith

Hypothesis: Students’ level of identity Hypothesis: Students’ level of identity development will be directly related to development will be directly related to their faith maturity. their faith maturity.

Identity

Faith:Convictions

&Behavior

Hypothesis: Students’ with a stronger sense of Hypothesis: Students’ with a stronger sense of identity will have deeper faith convictions which will identity will have deeper faith convictions which will be lived out in concrete behavioral terms.be lived out in concrete behavioral terms.

Past ResearchPast Research

The college years are the “critical years” in The college years are the “critical years” in development (Parks, 2000).development (Parks, 2000).

The college years are an important time of The college years are an important time of change for the individual self and the change for the individual self and the religious self (Lee, 2002).religious self (Lee, 2002).

Both healthy and unhealthy forms of Both healthy and unhealthy forms of development occur during the college development occur during the college years (Love and Talbot, 2002).years (Love and Talbot, 2002).

Lack of ResearchLack of Research

Theories of spiritual development have existed Theories of spiritual development have existed at the margins of student development theory for at the margins of student development theory for 20 years but have not been given serious 20 years but have not been given serious consideration (Love, 2002). consideration (Love, 2002).

Spirituality and spiritual development have been Spirituality and spiritual development have been conspicuously absent from student development conspicuously absent from student development theories and ignored by many student affairs theories and ignored by many student affairs professionals (Love & Talbot, 1999).professionals (Love & Talbot, 1999).

Importance of ResearchImportance of Research

Scientific study of faith and identity is necessary Scientific study of faith and identity is necessary for the design, implementation, and evaluation of for the design, implementation, and evaluation of specific efforts for change and growth among specific efforts for change and growth among college students. college students.

As an issue of integrity and responsible As an issue of integrity and responsible stewardship, Christians in positions of leadership stewardship, Christians in positions of leadership should be concerned with efforts to promote should be concerned with efforts to promote movement towards greater spiritual and identity movement towards greater spiritual and identity maturity (Butman, 1990). maturity (Butman, 1990).

Current StudyCurrent Study

The intimate and intricate faith-identity The intimate and intricate faith-identity linkage makes intuitive psychological and linkage makes intuitive psychological and theological sense, however, there is theological sense, however, there is limited research examining this limited research examining this relationship (Bussema, 1999).relationship (Bussema, 1999).

The current study was designed to better The current study was designed to better understand the relationship between faith understand the relationship between faith and identity among college students. and identity among college students.

IdentityIdentity

Domains of LifeDomains of Life PoliticsPolitics ReligionReligion PhilosophyPhilosophy OccupationOccupation MoralityMorality SexualitySexuality RelationshipsRelationships PurposePurpose

DimensionsDimensions ExplorationExploration CommitmentCommitment

IdentityIdentity

The extent of an individual’s exploration of, The extent of an individual’s exploration of, and commitment to, particular beliefs, and commitment to, particular beliefs, roles, and ideologies within the domains of roles, and ideologies within the domains of politics, religion, philosophy, occupation, politics, religion, philosophy, occupation, morality, sexuality, relationships, and morality, sexuality, relationships, and purpose.purpose.

FaithFaith

Faith AttitudesFaith Attitudes Importance of faithImportance of faith Strength of beliefStrength of belief Life application of faithLife application of faith Understanding of Understanding of

callingcalling

Faith BehaviorsFaith Behaviors Public religious activityPublic religious activity Private religious Private religious

activityactivity Experience of spiritual Experience of spiritual

feelings. feelings.

MethodsMethods

Participants: 189 first-year students.Participants: 189 first-year students. MeasuresMeasures

two measures of identitytwo measures of identity two measures of faithtwo measures of faith

MeasuresMeasures

IdentityIdentity

FaithFaith

Objective Measure of Ego-Identity StatusObjective Measure of Ego-Identity Status

Self-Perceptions of Identity Strength SurveySelf-Perceptions of Identity Strength Survey

Faith Attitudes SurveyFaith Attitudes Survey

Faith Behavior SurveyFaith Behavior Survey

Objective Measure of Ego-Objective Measure of Ego-Identity StatusIdentity Status

Identity StatusIdentity Status ExplorationExploration CommitmentCommitment

DiffusionDiffusion NoNo NoNo

ForeclosureForeclosure NoNo YesYes

MoratoriumMoratorium YesYes NoNo

AchievementAchievement YesYes YesYes

OMEIS Sample ItemsOMEIS Sample Items

Identity StatusIdentity Status Sample ItemSample Item

DiffusionDiffusion I don’t give religion much thought and I don’t give religion much thought and it doesn’t bother me one way or the it doesn’t bother me one way or the other.other.

ForeclosureForeclosure My parents’ views on life are good My parents’ views on life are good enough for me, I don’t need anything enough for me, I don’t need anything else.else.

MoratoriumMoratorium There are so many different political There are so many different political parties and ideals. I can’t decide which parties and ideals. I can’t decide which to follow until I figure it all out.to follow until I figure it all out.

AchievementAchievement It took me a long time to decide but It took me a long time to decide but now I know for sure what direction to now I know for sure what direction to move in for a career.move in for a career.

Self-Perceptions of Identity Self-Perceptions of Identity Strength SurveyStrength Survey

Overall identity scores assigned based on Overall identity scores assigned based on contemplation of, and confidence in: career, contemplation of, and confidence in: career, religion, morality, politics, sexuality, religion, morality, politics, sexuality, relationships, and purpose. relationships, and purpose.

Sample itemsSample items I am confident in knowing what I should major in at Pepperdine.I am confident in knowing what I should major in at Pepperdine. My parents have taught me to have a good sense of right and My parents have taught me to have a good sense of right and

wrongwrong I have thought a lot about my political beliefs.I have thought a lot about my political beliefs. I am not completely comfortable with my sexuality.I am not completely comfortable with my sexuality. I have a well-developed understanding of what my gifts and I have a well-developed understanding of what my gifts and

talents are.talents are.

Faith Attitudes SurveyFaith Attitudes Survey

SubscalesSubscales Sample ItemsSample Items

Strength of BeliefStrength of Belief •I view myself as a religious person.I view myself as a religious person.•I have doubts about whether my religious I have doubts about whether my religious beliefs are true.beliefs are true.

Importance of FaithImportance of Faith •Religion is not a very important part of my Religion is not a very important part of my life right now. life right now. •My faith is not very important to me. My faith is not very important to me.

Life Application of FaithLife Application of Faith •I depend on my faith in God for decision-I depend on my faith in God for decision-making and direction.making and direction.•I try hard to carry my religious beliefs into I try hard to carry my religious beliefs into all other dealings in my life. all other dealings in my life.

Understanding of CallingUnderstanding of Calling •I spend a lot of time contemplating God’s I spend a lot of time contemplating God’s will for my life.will for my life.•I am unsure about what God is I am unsure about what God is specifically calling me to do.specifically calling me to do.

Faith Behavior SurveyFaith Behavior Survey

SubscalesSubscales Sample ItemsSample Items

Public Religious Public Religious ActivityActivity

•How often do you attend religious services?How often do you attend religious services?•How often do you take part in the activities and How often do you take part in the activities and organizations of a church or place of worship other than organizations of a church or place of worship other than attending services?attending services?

Private Religious Private Religious ActivityActivity

•How often have you read the Bible in the last year?How often have you read the Bible in the last year?•Within your religious or spiritual tradition, how often do Within your religious or spiritual tradition, how often do you meditate?you meditate?

Experience of Experience of Spiritual FeelingsSpiritual Feelings

•I find strength and comfort in my religion or faith.I find strength and comfort in my religion or faith.•I feel God’s love for me, directly or through others.I feel God’s love for me, directly or through others.

ResultsResults

13%

10%

62%

15%

DiffusionForeclosureMoratoriumAchievement

Self-Perceived Identity Self-Perceived Identity Strength and FaithStrength and Faith

IdentityStrength

FaithAttitudes

and Behaviors

Comparison Between Comparison Between Identity Status and FaithIdentity Status and Faith

For faith attitudes:For faith attitudes: Diffusion < Foreclosure, Moratorium, AchievementDiffusion < Foreclosure, Moratorium, Achievement

For faith behaviors:For faith behaviors: Diffusion < Moratorium, AchievementDiffusion < Moratorium, Achievement

Comparison Between Comparison Between Identity Status and FaithIdentity Status and Faith

For faith attitudes and behaviors:For faith attitudes and behaviors: Achievement = Moratorium, ForeclosureAchievement = Moratorium, Foreclosure

Comparison Between Identity Comparison Between Identity Status Scores and FaithStatus Scores and Faith

DiffusionMoratorium

FaithAttitudes

andBehavior

Comparison Between Identity Comparison Between Identity Status Scores and FaithStatus Scores and Faith

FaithAttitudes

andBehavior

Commitmentto

Ideologies

Identity Status Scores and Identity Status Scores and FaithFaith

Foreclosure&

AchievementScores

FaithAttitudes

&Behaviors

Summary of FindingsSummary of Findings

Self-Perceptions of Identity Strength SurveySelf-Perceptions of Identity Strength Survey High identity is related to high faithHigh identity is related to high faith

Objective Measure of Ego-Identity StatusObjective Measure of Ego-Identity Status Low identity (diffusion status) is related to low faithLow identity (diffusion status) is related to low faith Lack of ideological commitments (diffusion and Lack of ideological commitments (diffusion and

moratorium scores) is related to low faithmoratorium scores) is related to low faith High identity (achievement status) is unrelated to faithHigh identity (achievement status) is unrelated to faith Presence of ideological commitments (foreclosure Presence of ideological commitments (foreclosure

and achievement scores) is unrelated to faithand achievement scores) is unrelated to faith

Necessary-but-not-sufficient Necessary-but-not-sufficient TheoryTheory

Not having a strong sense of identity is an Not having a strong sense of identity is an impediment to faith formation.impediment to faith formation.

Having a strong sense of identity does not Having a strong sense of identity does not impact faith in either direction.impact faith in either direction.

Summary: Individuals must be at a mature Summary: Individuals must be at a mature stage of identity development in order to stage of identity development in order to develop mature faith, but identity develop mature faith, but identity development itself is not the cause of development itself is not the cause of higher levels of faith maturity. higher levels of faith maturity.

ImplicationsImplications

In order to make it possible for students to In order to make it possible for students to mature in their faith, students must be mature in their faith, students must be encouraged to move beyond the immature encouraged to move beyond the immature stages of identity. stages of identity.

In order to encourage a growth in faith In order to encourage a growth in faith attitudes and behaviors, one must move attitudes and behaviors, one must move beyond a focus on identity and find beyond a focus on identity and find practical ways of fostering spiritual practical ways of fostering spiritual development directly. development directly.

Encouraging a Shift away from Immature Encouraging a Shift away from Immature Identity (Parks, 2000)Identity (Parks, 2000)

Network of belongingNetwork of belonging Support and challenge in successes and failuresSupport and challenge in successes and failures Atmosphere of inquiryAtmosphere of inquiry Genuine dialogue, contemplation, awareness, Genuine dialogue, contemplation, awareness,

and critical thoughtand critical thought Images of truth, transformation and Images of truth, transformation and

interrelatednessinterrelatedness Encouragement to aspire to new possibilities. Encouragement to aspire to new possibilities.

Ways Faculty and Staff can Encourage Ways Faculty and Staff can Encourage Faith Maturity (Love & Talbot, 1999)Faith Maturity (Love & Talbot, 1999)

Recognize the importance of faithRecognize the importance of faith Gain understanding of personal spiritual Gain understanding of personal spiritual

developmentdevelopment Open attitude towards issues of faith Open attitude towards issues of faith

among studentsamong students Education and training regarding faith Education and training regarding faith

developmentdevelopment Recognition for the spiritual underpinnings Recognition for the spiritual underpinnings

of emotional crisesof emotional crises

Final ThoughtFinal Thought

The college environment and those The college environment and those interacting with students will have the most interacting with students will have the most effective impact on students’ development effective impact on students’ development of mature identity and faith when practical of mature identity and faith when practical methods are implemented for the methods are implemented for the encouragement of a shift away from encouragement of a shift away from immature identity and a shift toward immature identity and a shift toward mature faith. mature faith.