Abstract
Two studies examined mission-identity perceptions as predictors of faith maturity among students at a faith-based university. Study 1 (n = 304; 222 women, 82 men) assessed the relationships among students in the general student population. Study 2 was a replication of Study 1, but included students involved with a campus ministry organization (n = 94; 69 women, 25 men). In Study 1, innovative and inclusive mission-identity perceptions were significant, positive predictors of vertical and horizontal faith maturity. The findings of Study 2 were consistent with those of Study 1, with one exception. Specifically, no evidence of a relationship between mission-identity perceptions (innovative and inclusive) and horizontal faith maturity was found in Study 2. Results may offer insight into the factors that influence students' spiritual development at faith-based universities.
Acknowledgments
This research was funded by the Office of Mission & Values at DePaul University. Portions of this article were included in a master's thesis at DePaul University by the first author under the supervision of the second author. A poster based on this research was presented at the 2011 biannual meeting of the Society for Community Research and Action, in Chicago, Illinois.
Notes
Note. Value in parentheses is standard deviation. Value in brackets is Cronbach alpha.
Note. I&I = Innovative & Inclusive; Rel. Pluralism = Religious Pluralism.
*p < .05. **p < .001.