Spirituality in Higher Education: A National Study of College

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 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 Students at 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 God79% My spiritual/religious beliefs have been formed through much 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” 80 75 70 69 67 63 65 60 55 50 Provide me with strength, support, and guidance Have helped me develop my Give meaning/purpose to my identity life

Feel Obligated to Follow My Parents’ Religious Practices 60 56 50 35 40 30 20 9 10 0 Not at all To some extent To a great extent

Spirituality “Strengthening” Experiences Death of close friend/family member Events of September 11, 2001 Romantic relationship Personal injury/illness New ideas encountered in classes War in Iraq Natural disaster Parents’ divorce/separation 45% 42% 36% 34% 31% 29% 24% 18%

Current Views about Religious/Spiritual Matters 50 42 40 30 20 10 23 10 15 15 Conflicted Not Interested 0 Doubting Seeking Secure

Expectations about My Religious Beliefs 80 60 72 58 40 20 0 I do not expect my religious convictions to change in the There is at least "some" chance I will strengthen my religious next few years beliefs/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”: Goal: Integrating spirituality into my life “Very important” or “Essential”: 41% 47%

Religious Engagement α .87 Engages at least “weekly” in: Religious singing/chanting Reading sacred texts Other reading on religion/spirituality “Frequently”: Attended a religious service Attended class/workshop/retreat on matters related to religion/spirituality 30% 27% 21% 42% 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 In the future, science will be able to explain everything The universe arose by chance Whether or not there is a Supreme Being doesn’t matter to me 31% 31% 26% 26%

Ecumenical Worldview Love is at the root of all the great religions: Agree: α .70 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 Becoming a more loving person Improving the human condition Attaining inner harmony Finding answers to the mysteries of life Developing a meaningful philosophy of life 77% 67% 54% 49% 45% 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 Kindness Above average: 75% Self-rated Generosity Above average: 67% Self-rated Forgiveness Above average: 56%

Intended Major and Spirituality

Spirituality by Intended Major (% high scorers) Highest Music39 Humanities 30 Fine Arts 25 Lowest Computer Science 11 Business 13 Architecture 14

Religious Commitment by Intended Major (% high scorers) Highest Humanities Education Health Professions 32 28 28 Business Undecided Engineering 18 19 19 Lowest

Ecumenical Worldview by Intended Major (% high scorers) Highest Humanities Political Science Fine Arts 25 24 21 Lowest Agriculture Computer Science Engineering 3 7 8

Spiritual Quest by Intended Major (% high scorers) Highest Humanities Fine Arts Music 38 36 35 Agriculture Computer Science Engineering 8 15 17 Lowest

Equanimity by Intended Major (% high scorers) Highest Music Humanities Political Science 31 30 27 Computer Science Engineering Business 14 18 18 Lowest

Race and Spirituality

Spirituality by Race (% “high scorers”) Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 25 American Indian/Alaska Native 24 African American/Black 24 White/Caucasian 17 Latino 17 Asian American/Asian 14

Religious Commitment by Race (% “high scorers”) African American/Black American Indian/Alaska Native Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander White/Caucasian 25 Latino 23 Asian American/Asian 22 47 32 29

Ecumenical Worldview by Race (% “high scorers”) Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 24 American Indian/Alaska Native 19 Latino 18 Asian American/Asian 18 African American/Black 16 White/Caucasian 12

Spiritual Quest by Race (% “high scorers”) African American/Black 36 American Indian/Alaska Native 34 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 34 Latino 28 Asian American/Asian 27 White/Caucasian 23

Equanimity by Race (% “high scorers”) African American/Black 33 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 28 American Indian/Alaska Native 27 Latino 23 White/Caucasian 22 Asian American/Asian 19

Gender and Spirituality

Gender Differences on Factors % High Scorers 45 Women Men 31 30 28 30 27 21 25 22 19 22 20 16 15 10 0 Compassionate SelfConcept Religious Commitment Spiritual Quest Equanimity Religious Engagement Charitable Involvement

Gender Differences on Factors % High Scorers 45 Women Men 30 19 15 15 21 18 13 16 14 10 14 13 11 10 0 Spirituality Religious/Social Conservatism Ecumenical Worldview Religious Skepticism Ethic of Caring Religious Struggle

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 50 47 45 39 40 48 Conservative Liberal 45 43 34 35 29 30 30 27 27 24 25 25 22 20 15 15 15 14 10 5 0 Religious Engagement S pirituality Charitable Involvement Compassionate S elf-Concept S piritual Quest Ethic of Caring Ecumenical Worldview Religious S kepticism

Political and Social Issues 80 77 76 67 70 60 50 High Religious Engagement Low Religious Engagement 49 40 30 28 23 19 15 20 10 0 Support legalized abortion Believe casual sex is okay Support same-sex marriage Support legalizing marijuana

High vs. Low Religious Engagement Diverging Perspectives On: Legalized abortion Casual sex Same-sex marriage Legalization of marijuana

Political and Social Issues 80 75 78 High Religious Engagement 70 60 51 55 40 25 20 55 Low Religious Engagement 50 30 61 21 23 18 10 0 Support gun control Support abolishing Believe racial Believe women's Believe there is affirmative action discrimination is roles best at home too much concern in college no longer a major for criminals' admissions problem rights

High vs. Low Religious Engagement Converging Perspectives On: Issues of race Rights of criminals Women’s roles Gun control

Percent agreeing that “The death penalty should be abolished” 45 40 35 30 42 36 30 26 25 20 15 10 5 0 High Low Religious Religious Engagement Engagement High Spirituality Low Spirituality

Religious Differences

Spirituality by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 60 56 50 40 36 30 30 27 27 22 20 20 20 20 Methodist UCC Quaker 10 0 Mormon 7th Day Adventist Other Christian Baptist Unitarian Presbyterian

Spirituality by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 60 50 40 30 20 19 19 17 15 14 14 13 12 10 9 5 0 Buddhist Episcopalian Church of Christ Lutheran Catholic Islamic Eastern Orthodox 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 Hindu23

Religious Engagement by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 70 60 58 50 50 40 40 39 30 30 24 23 22 20 Islamic Methodist Church of Christ UCC 20 10 0 Mormon 7th Day Adventist Other Christian Baptist Presbyterian

Religious Engagement by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 70 60 50 40 30 20 18 17 16 16 14 12 10 7 6 Jewish Buddhist 3 1 Unitarian None 0 Lutheran Episcopalian Quaker Hindu Catholic Eastern Orthodox

Attended religious services “frequently” Highest on Religious Engagement Mormon 7th Day Adventist Other Christian Lowest on Religious Engagement No religious preference Unitarian Buddhist 78 76 61 4 24 10

Religious/Social Conservatism by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 45 40 39 37 36 35 30 23 25 23 21 20 20 19 15 15 10 5 0 Baptist Mormon Other Christian Presbyterian Islamic 7th Day Adventist Church of Christ Methodist Lutheran

Religious/Social Conservatism by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 14 11 10 9 8 5 5 1 1 1 0 0 None Jewish Hindu Buddhist Unitarian 0 Quaker UCC Catholic Episcopalian Eastern Orthodox

Agree “strongly” that abortion should be legal Highest on Religious/Social Conservatism Baptist 13 Mormon 11 Other Christian 14 Lowest on Religious/Social Conservatism Unitarian 67 Buddhist 34 Hindu 28

Religious Skepticism by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 60 54 50 45 40 35 33 30 24 20 20 15 10 14 10 0 None Unitarian Jewish Buddhist Quaker Hindu Eastern Episcopalian Methodist Orthodox

Religious Skepticism by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 60 50 40 30 20 10 10 9 9 8 7 6 6 5 4 2 Islamic Other Christian Baptist Mormon 0 Catholic Church of Christ Lutheran UCC Presbyterian 7th Day Adventist

Religion and science conflict; I am on the side of science Highest on Religious Skepticism None Unitarian Jewish Lowest on Religious Skepticism Mormon Baptist Other Christian 42 29 22 0 3 4

Ecumenical Worldview by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 45 44 40 35 30 30 27 25 21 20 20 20 19 19 Quaker Episcopalian Islamic Jewish Eastern Orthodox Mormon 20 15 10 5 0 Unitarian Hindu Buddhist

Ecumenical Worldview by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 16 15 14 13 12 11 11 10 9 9 UCC Other Christian Methodist Lutheran Baptist Church of Christ 10 5 0 7th Day Adventist None Catholic Presbyterian

Agree “strongly” that people can grow spiritually without being religious Highest on Ecumenical Worldview Unitarian Hindu Buddhist Lowest on Ecumenical Worldview Church of Christ Baptist Lutheran 55 25 35 14 11 14

Ethic of Caring by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 35 30 30 26 25 23 21 18 20 16 16 16 Episcopalian Quaker Mormon 15 14 14 Baptist Eastern Orthodox 10 5 0 Unitarian Islamic Buddhist Hindu Jewish

Ethic of Caring by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 35 30 25 20 15 14 14 13 13 12 12 Catholic Other Christian 11 10 10 Presbyterian Methodist Lutheran 10 5 0 7th Day Adventist Church of Christ UCC None

Engaged in trying to change unfair things in the world “to a great extent” Highest on Ethic of Caring Unitarian Islamic Buddhist Lowest on Ethic of Caring Lutheran Methodist Presbyterian 26 21 19 10 12 11

Religious Differences Two religious “clusters”: Spiritual, religious, and conservative Skeptical, pluralistic, and justiceoriented

Compassionate Self-Concept by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 45 41 40 40 36 35 35 34 34 Eastern Orthodox Quaker 33 33 33 33 Episcopalian Other Christian Church of Christ Jewish 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Islamic Hindu Unitarian 7th Day Adventist

Compassionate Self-Concept by Religious Preference (% high scorers) 45 40 35 33 32 32 32 30 30 30 29 26 25 24 20 15 10 5 0 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” 80 70 69 67 63 60 48 50 40 30 20 10 0 Enhances my selfunderstanding Helps develop my personal values Provides for my emotional development Encourages personal expression of spirituality

Professors Provided % Indicating “Frequently” and “Not at all” 70 62 56 60 50 40 30 20 10 8 8 0 Encouragement to discuss religious/spiritual matters Opportunities to discuss the purpose/meaning of life Frequently Not 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 80 70 70 60 50 40 30 18 20 13 10 0 "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 Be a good colleague 58 35 -23 -32

Student Personal Development Focus (% “very important” or “essential”) Spirituality High Low Diff Develop moral character 76 32 -44 Enhance self understanding 71 41 -30 Help develop personal values 68 29 -39 Provide for emotional dev. 52 16 -36 Facilitate meaning/purpose search 54 16 -38 Enhance spiritual development 44 1 -43

Civic Minded Values (% “very important” or “essential”) Spirituality High Low Diff Goals for Undergraduates Prepare for responsible citizenship Instill commitment to community service Personal Objectives Influence social values 49 Influence the political structure 70 51 24 -25 21 16 -5 45 18 -25 -33

Civic Minded Practice (% “yes” in past two years) Spirituality High Low Diff Used my scholarship to address local community needs 56 31 Collaborated with the local community in research/ teaching 46 31 -15 -25

Colleges Should be Concerned with Students’ Spiritual Development (% “agree”) “Other” Religious Colleges 69 Catholic Colleges 62 Private Nonsectarian Colleges Private Universities 37 Two Year Colleges 29 Public Colleges 23 Public Universities 18 39

Spirituality of Faculty Has No Place in the Academy (% “disagree”) “Other” Religious Colleges 78 Catholic Colleges 71 Private Nonsectarian Colleges Two Year Colleges Private Universities 58 Public Colleges 53 Public Universities 49 61 59

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