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 God 79%

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
69
70 67
65 63

60

55

50
Provide me with strength, Have helped me develop my Give meaning/purpose to my
support, and guidance identity life
 Feel Obligated to Follow My
Parents’ Religious Practices
60 56

50
40 35

30
20
9
10
0
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

50 42
40
30 23
20 15 15
10
10
0
Doubting Conflicted Not Interested Seeking Secure
 Expectations about
My Religious Beliefs

80 72
58
60

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”: 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 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
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 Worldview
by Intended Major (% high scorers)

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

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

 Highest
Music 31
Humanities 30
Political Science 27
 Lowest
Computer Science 14
Engineering 18
Business 18
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 47
American Indian/Alaska Native 32
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 29
White/Caucasian 25
Latino 23
Asian American/Asian 22
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
30 28 27
25
21 22 22
19 20
16
15
10

0
Compassionate Self- Religious Spiritual Quest Equanimity Religious Charitable
Concept Commitment Engagement Involvement
 Gender Differences on Factors
% High Scorers

45
Women
Men

30

21
19 18
15 16
13 14 14 13
15 11 10
10

0
Spirituality Religious/Social Ecumenical Religious Ethic of Caring Religious
Conservatism Worldview Skepticism 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 48
Conservative 45
45 43
Liberal
39
40
34
35
29 30
30 27 27
24 25
25 22
20
15 15 14
15

10

0
Religious S pirituality Charitable Compassionate S piritual Ethic of Ecumenical Religious
Engagement Involvement S elf-Concept Quest Caring Worldview S kepticism
 Political and Social Issues
80 77 76 High Religious
67 Engagement
70 Low Religious
60 Engagement
49
50
40
28
30 23
19
20 15
10
0
Support legalized Believe casual sex is Support same-sex Support legalizing
abortion okay marriage 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
70 Religious 61
60 55 Engagement 55
51
Low
50 Religious
40 Engagement

30 25 23
21
18
20
10
0
Support gun Support abolishing Believe racial Believe women's Believe there is
control 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 42
40 36
35
30
30 26
25
20
15
10
5
0
High Low Religious High Low
Religious Engagement Spirituality Spirituality
Engagement
Religious Differences
 Spirituality
by Religious Preference (% high scorers)

60 56

50

40 36
30
30 27 27
22
20 20 20
20

10

0
Mormon 7th Day Other Christian Baptist Unitarian Presbyterian Methodist UCC Quaker
Adventist
 Spirituality
by Religious Preference (% high scorers)

60

50

40

30
19 19
20 17 15 14 14 13 12
9
10 5

0
Buddhist Episcopalian Church of Lutheran Catholic Islamic Eastern Hindu Jewish None
Christ Orthodox
 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 Engagement
by Religious Preference (% high scorers)

70
58
60
50
50
40 39
40
30
30 24 23 22 20
20

10

0
Mormon 7th Day Other Baptist Presbyterian Islamic Methodist Church of UCC
Adventist Christian Christ
 Religious Engagement
by Religious Preference (% high scorers)

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

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

50
45
40
35
30
25
20
14
15 11
9 8
10
5
5 1 1 1 0 0
0
Quaker UCC Catholic Episcopalian Eastern None Jewish Hindu Buddhist Unitarian
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 14
10
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 9 9 8 7 6 6
10 5 4 2
0
Catholic Church of Lutheran UCC Presbyterian 7th Day Islamic Other Baptist Mormon
Christ Adventist Christian
 Religion and science conflict;
I am on the side of science

 Highest on Religious Skepticism

None 42
Unitarian 29
Jewish 22
 Lowest on Religious Skepticism
Mormon 0
Baptist 3
Other Christian 4
 Ecumenical Worldview
by Religious Preference (% high scorers)

44
45

40

35
30
30 27
25
21 20 20 20 19 19
20

15

10

0
Unitarian Hindu Buddhist Quaker Episcopalian Islamic Jewish Eastern Mormon
Orthodox
 Ecumenical Worldview
by Religious Preference (% high scorers)

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

35
30
30
26
25 23
21
20 18
16 16 16
14 14
15

10

0
Unitarian Islamic Buddhist Hindu Jewish Episcopalian Quaker Mormon Baptist Eastern
Orthodox
 Ethic of Caring
by Religious Preference (% high scorers)

35

30

25

20

14 14 13 13
15 12 12
11 10 10
10

0
7th Day Church of UCC None Catholic Other Presbyterian Methodist Lutheran
Adventist Christ Christian
 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-Concept
by Religious Preference (% high scorers)

45
41 40
40
36 35 34 34 33 33 33 33
35

30

25

20

15

10

0
Islamic Hindu Unitarian 7th Day Eastern Quaker Episcopalian Other Church of Jewish
Adventist Orthodox Christian Christ
 Compassionate Self-Concept
by Religious Preference (% high scorers)

45

40

35 33 32 32 32
30 30 29
30
26
24
25

20

15

10

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
69 67
70 63
60
48
50
40
30
20
10
0
Enhances my self- Helps develop my personal Provides for my emotional Encourages personal
understanding values development expression of spirituality
 Professors Provided …
% Indicating “Frequently” and “Not at all”

70 Frequently
62
Not at all
60 56

50

40

30

20
8 8
10

0
Encouragement to discuss Opportunities to discuss the
religious/spiritual matters purpose/meaning of life
 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 -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 -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 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 Diff
Used 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