Complicating Universal Definitions: How Students of Diverse Worldviews Make Meaning of Spirituality

Abstract

This study employed qualitative content analysis to examine the written responses of 1,071 college students to the open-ended survey question, “What does spirituality mean to you?” Connectivity is core to the way many students depict spirituality and is inherently multidimensional, as students emphasize both “external/transcendent” and “internal/immanent” spiritual connections in life. Pathways to spiritual connectivity are distinctive across worldview, with faith, belief, religiosity, and equanimity playing major or minor roles, depending on the student’s worldview.

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Notes on contributors

Alyssa N. Rockenbach

Alyssa N. Rockenbach, Associate Professor, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Matthew J. Mayhew, Associate Professor, Department of Administration, Leadership and Technology, New York University. Jenica Davidson, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Jennie Ofstein, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Renee Clark Bush, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University.

Matthew J. Mayhew

Alyssa N. Rockenbach, Associate Professor, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Matthew J. Mayhew, Associate Professor, Department of Administration, Leadership and Technology, New York University. Jenica Davidson, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Jennie Ofstein, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Renee Clark Bush, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University.

Jenica Davidson

Alyssa N. Rockenbach, Associate Professor, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Matthew J. Mayhew, Associate Professor, Department of Administration, Leadership and Technology, New York University. Jenica Davidson, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Jennie Ofstein, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Renee Clark Bush, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University.

Jennie Ofstein

Alyssa N. Rockenbach, Associate Professor, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Matthew J. Mayhew, Associate Professor, Department of Administration, Leadership and Technology, New York University. Jenica Davidson, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Jennie Ofstein, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Renee Clark Bush, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University.

Renee Clark Bush

Alyssa N. Rockenbach, Associate Professor, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Matthew J. Mayhew, Associate Professor, Department of Administration, Leadership and Technology, New York University. Jenica Davidson, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Jennie Ofstein, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University. Renee Clark Bush, Resaerch Associate, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Adult & Higher Education, North Carolina State University.