Understanding the Religious and Spiritual Dimensions of Students' Lives in the First Year of College

Abstract

In this study we sought to understand how the first college year impacted students spiritually and religiously. The sample was comprised of 3,680 first-year students from 50 colleges and universities across the country and included individuals representing a variety of racial/ethnic and religious backgrounds. Overall, students became less religiously active, but were more committed to integrating spirituality into their lives after one year. Further, religiousness and spirituality were highly correlated, although personal characteristics, institutional variables, and college experiences were also associated with these constructs.

Five-Factor Structure of the Spiritual Transcendence Scale and Its Relationship with Clinical Psychological Distress in Emerging Adults

“…Since this is often a time of exploration and self-growth, emerging adults may look at spirituality through a variety of lenses, thus leading to a larger number of factors. Perhaps as they mature spiritually and religiously, these identified facets will consolidate as the integration of spirituality into one's daily life and increase throughout university years (Bryant et al 2003;Dalton et al 2006). These results may serve as a primary foundation for continued investigation of the STS in samples of various ages, and the continuing development of psychometrically sound instruments measuring spirituality.…”

College Student Spirituality at a Hispanic Serving Institution

“…Nevertheless, Bryant, Choi, and Yasuno (2003) find that there was a disconnect between first year students' lives and spirituality because of a lack of engagement in religious practice (p. 740).…”

Religion and the Cultures of Higher Education: Student Christianity in the UK

“…Studies that have added momentum to the secularisation paradigm have predictably provoked a range of counter-arguments, with some citing evidence of religious vitality on campuses (Cherry, DeBerg, and Porterfield 2001), or arguing for an association between higher education and a turn towards matters of 'spirituality' among emerging adults (Bryant, Choi, and Yasuno 2003). The most theoretically subtle research has called for greater attention to how universities shape the religious lives of students.…”