Aspects of spirituality and ideals to help in adolescents from Christian academic high schools

Abstract

In a recent study, we found that 17-year-old adolescents appreciated most non-formal aspects of spirituality in terms of relational consciousness. Nevertheless, male students expressed a significantly higher self-centeredness than females. By investigating 900 adolescents from Christian academic high schools in the southwest of Germany, the study aimed to further understand aspects of spirituality, particularly with respect to the underlying motives of helping/altruism. Important ideals of helping were found in male and female students (albeit significantly higher in girls), and differential patterns of the altruistic/helping attitudes with respect to distinct aspects of spirituality. The best predictors of the ideal to help were compassion/generosity, conscious interactions, religious orientation, and male gender as a negative predictor. Schools with a circumscribed ethical background could foster these intentions, attitudes and skills. Voluntary ‘Compassion Projects’ and intensified practical school training programs at hospitals, retirement homes, kindergardens, etc, should be encouraged.

Keywords:

• spirituality
• altruism
• ideals
• helping
• adolescents
• gender
• academic high schools

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to Karin Jors for her helpful comments and editing, and to all students who completed the questionnaires.