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