Spirituality among a College Student Cohort: A Quantitative Assessment

Abstract

This study was designed to quantify indices of spirituality, the directing health dimension, which affects health and life satisfaction. Because college marks a time when life patterns are established, a college population was chosen. A cohort of 524 Northeastern U.S. college students completed the 48-item Life Attitude Profile–Revised in the fall semester 2002. Overall, results revealed that these students demonstrated a moderate degree of spirituality, with women indicating a higher measure of spirituality than men. Also, women in this study were found to have clearer goals and a keener sense about why they are “here.” Men, on the other hand, were less satisfied with life, suggesting that they were searching for their identities. These findings imply that health educators may need to help students, particularly men, search for and enhance their degree of spirituality so that they may be healthier and establish positive life patterns for adulthood. A “spiritual norming” campaign may be helpful for these students.