ABSTRACT
This qualitative study aims to explore the impact of religious beliefs in terms of religiosity, including (1) religious background, (2) religious practices and (3) participation in religious activities, on the development of spiritual well-being of Chinese students. Thereafter, this research further discussed how and what religiosity has contributed to the development of the university students’ spiritual well-being.
27 individual in-depth interviews with university students were conducted. Findings contribute to the exploration of how the spiritual well-being of students could be influenced by their religious beliefs. Their religious doctrines, activities and practices may likewise be integrated in their daily lives. Moreover, religious doctrines, participation in religious activities and prayers or meditation positively contribute to the development of the university students’ spiritual well-being in specific domains (i.e., personal, communal, environmental and transcendental). Happiness, love, harmony, and devotion are affirmed as possible reasons and effects from their religious beliefs in the specific domains.
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to express his gratitude to Dr. Wong Ping Ho and Dr. Lo Yat Wai for their continuous supports and encouragement in this research.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Hok-Ko Pong
Hok-Ko Pong is a teaching fellow at Faculty of Management and Hospitality, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. He earned his EDD at the Education University of Hong Kong. His research interests include life and value education, spirituality and holistic education.