Configurations of student Spirituality/Religiosity: evidence from a Philippine university

Abstract

One of the points of contention in youth research pertains to academic life vis-a-vis the religious and spiritual mindset of the young student. Questions about the probable associations between academic growth and spiritual/religious life are treated with intense interest in religious and sociological discussions. This study sought to find out the characteristics of Filipino student Spirituality and Religiosity using the Religiosity and Spirituality Scale for Youth from a sample of 3108 college students in a Manila-based Philippine university. It inquired further how certain psychosocial variables can be associated with student spirituality and religiosity (S/R). The results revealed two significant variable traits associated with S/R: identity (psychosocial factors) and relational (psychosocial adjustment) variables. The results point to significant insights for the management of youth religious behaviour in general and of tertiary students in particular despite recent decline in levels of religiosity among the young.

Keywords:

• Student religiosity
• youth spirituality
• religious practice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Rito Baring is a full professor and chair of the Theology and Religious Education Department at De la Salle University (DLSU), Manila, Philippines. His research interests include youth studies, empirical theology and religious education.

Romeo Lee is a full professor and chair of the Behavioral Sciences Department of De la Salle University, Manila, Philippines.His research work covers reproductive health, sexuality, youth and globalisation.

Madelene Sta Maria is an associate professor of the Psychology Department of De la Salle University, Manila, Philippines. She served previously as a research director of the Socal Development Research Center of DLSU.

Yan Liu is a research fellow at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada.