1 Presentation by the Office of Assessment Division of Student Affairs Mississippi State University...

1

Presentation by thePresentation by the

Office of AssessmentOffice of Assessment

Division of Student Affairs Division of Student Affairs

Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State University

College Students' Beliefs & Values SurveyCollege Students' Beliefs & Values Survey

UCLA’s Higher Education Research InstituteUCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute

2

IntroductionIntroductionCollege Students' Beliefs & Values SurveyCollege Students' Beliefs & Values Survey

•The Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at UCLA conducted a The Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at UCLA conducted a major new program of research to track the spiritual growth of students major new program of research to track the spiritual growth of students during their college years.during their college years.

•The study employed a multi-institutional and longitudinal design to identify The study employed a multi-institutional and longitudinal design to identify trends, patterns, and principles of spirituality and religiousness among trends, patterns, and principles of spirituality and religiousness among college students.college students.

• Entitled "Spirituality in Higher Education: A National Study of College Entitled "Spirituality in Higher Education: A National Study of College Students' Search for Meaning and Purpose," the study was designed to: Students' Search for Meaning and Purpose," the study was designed to:

– Generate empirically based insights on the trends, patterns, and Generate empirically based insights on the trends, patterns, and principles of spiritual growth during the college years;principles of spiritual growth during the college years;

– Involve and engage colleges and universities interested in expanding Involve and engage colleges and universities interested in expanding and enhancing opportunities for college students to grow spiritually and enhancing opportunities for college students to grow spiritually and religiously;and religiously;

– Widely disseminate the findings of the study to stakeholders Widely disseminate the findings of the study to stakeholders throughout higher education as well as to opinion leaders in the throughout higher education as well as to opinion leaders in the mainstream media.mainstream media.

3

IntroductionIntroductionCollege Students' Beliefs & Values SurveyCollege Students' Beliefs & Values Survey

A pilot survey was completed in Spring 2003 by approximately 3,700 juniors A pilot survey was completed in Spring 2003 by approximately 3,700 juniors at a representative sample of colleges and universities that participated in the at a representative sample of colleges and universities that participated in the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) annual Survey of Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) annual Survey of Entering Freshmen three years earlier. These longitudinal data provide Entering Freshmen three years earlier. These longitudinal data provide information on how the college experience impacts students' spiritual life and information on how the college experience impacts students' spiritual life and development. development. Survey questions cover 11 broad areas:Survey questions cover 11 broad areas:

•Spiritual outlook / orientation / worldview Spiritual outlook / orientation / worldview •Spiritual well being Spiritual well being •Religious / spiritual practices and behaviors Religious / spiritual practices and behaviors •Self-assessments of spirituality and related traits Self-assessments of spirituality and related traits •Spiritual quest Spiritual quest •Spiritual / mystical experiences Spiritual / mystical experiences •Attitudes towards religion / spirituality Attitudes towards religion / spirituality •Religious affiliation / identity Religious affiliation / identity •Theological / metaphysical beliefs Theological / metaphysical beliefs •Facilitators / inhibitors of spiritual development Facilitators / inhibitors of spiritual development •Compassionate behavior Compassionate behavior

4

Students’ current religious preference is:Students’ current religious preference is:

0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

Baptist 47

Methodist 18

Roman Catholic 11

Presbyterian 6

Other Christin 6

Episcopalian 4

Church of Christ 2

Mississippi State University

The values are expressed in percentages


5

Students’ current religious preference is:Students’ current religious preference is:(continued)(continued)

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

Other Religion 2

Lutheran 1

Hindu 1

Islamic 0.2

Quaker 0.1

Seventh Day Adventist 0.1

United Church ofChrist/Congregational

0.1

Others* 0

Mississippi State University


The values are expressed in percentages

* ‘others’ includes:-Unitarian/Universalist-Eastern Orthodox-Jewish-LDS (Mormon)

6

Correlations by GenderCorrelations by Gender• Female students were more likely than males to Female students were more likely than males to

report being essential:report being essential:– Becoming a more loving personBecoming a more loving person

– PrayingPraying

– Praying for help in solving problemsPraying for help in solving problems

– Praying for emotional strengthPraying for emotional strength

– Praying to relieve the suffering of othersPraying to relieve the suffering of others

– Praying for loved onesPraying for loved ones

– Feeling a sense of connection with God/Higher Power Feeling a sense of connection with God/Higher Power that transcends their personal self.that transcends their personal self.


7

Correlations by GenderCorrelations by Gender•Female students were more likely than males:Female students were more likely than males:

–To report that they ultimate spiritual quest is to know their purpose in To report that they ultimate spiritual quest is to know their purpose in life.life.

–To report that romantic relationship experiences strengthened their To report that romantic relationship experiences strengthened their religious/spiritual beliefs.religious/spiritual beliefs.

–To report that they agree that:To report that they agree that:

•what happens in their lives is determined by forces larger than what happens in their lives is determined by forces larger than themselvesthemselves

•they gain spiritual strength by trusting in a Higher Powerthey gain spiritual strength by trusting in a Higher Power

•their spirituality is a source of joytheir spirituality is a source of joy

–To have helped friends with personal problems during the past yearTo have helped friends with personal problems during the past year

–To be felt loved by GodTo be felt loved by God

–To pray.To pray.


8

Correlations by Ethnic BackgroundCorrelations by Ethnic Background

•African American students were more likely than other ethnic African American students were more likely than other ethnic groups to considering the following important:groups to considering the following important:

–Reducing pain and suffering in the world;Reducing pain and suffering in the world;

–Becoming a more loving person;Becoming a more loving person;

–Believing in the goodness of all people.Believing in the goodness of all people.


9


•African American students were more likely than other ethnic African American students were more likely than other ethnic groups to strongly agree that:groups to strongly agree that:

–All life is interconnected;All life is interconnected;–People can reach a higher spiritual plane of consciousness People can reach a higher spiritual plane of consciousness through meditation or prayer;through meditation or prayer;–Pain and suffering are essential to becoming a better person.Pain and suffering are essential to becoming a better person.

•African American students were more likely than other ethnic African American students were more likely than other ethnic groups to:groups to:

–Engage at least weekly in religious singing/chanting;Engage at least weekly in religious singing/chanting;–To pray.To pray.


10


•White Caucasian students were White Caucasian students were more likelymore likely than other ethnic than other ethnic groups to strongly agree that:groups to strongly agree that:

– Non-religious people can lead lives that are just as moral as Non-religious people can lead lives that are just as moral as those of religious believers;those of religious believers;–There is life after death.There is life after death.

•White Caucasian students were White Caucasian students were less likelyless likely than other ethnic than other ethnic groups to strongly agree that:groups to strongly agree that:

–Love is at the root of all the great religions;Love is at the root of all the great religions;–People can reach a higher spiritual plane of consciousness People can reach a higher spiritual plane of consciousness through mediation and prayer;through mediation and prayer;–The universe arose by chance.The universe arose by chance.


11


•White Caucasian students were less likely than other ethnic White Caucasian students were less likely than other ethnic groups to believe that the ‘mother figure’ best characterizes their groups to believe that the ‘mother figure’ best characterizes their conception of or experience with God.conception of or experience with God.

•White Caucasian students were less likely than other ethnic White Caucasian students were less likely than other ethnic groups to consider important:groups to consider important:

–Seeking beauty in their life;Seeking beauty in their life;–Becoming a more loving person;Becoming a more loving person;–Believing in the goodness of all people.Believing in the goodness of all people.


12


Correlations by Religious AffiliationsCorrelations by Religious AffiliationsBaptist Methodist Catholic Non Religious

Affiliations

Seeking out opportunities to help them grow spiritually

Very important

Non Significant Correlation

Not very important

Not very important

Seeking to follow religious teachings in their everyday life

Very important


Not very important

Not very important

People who do not believe in God will be punished

Strongly agree


Do not agree

Do not agree

The universe arose by chance Do not agree



Strongly agree

Having an interest in different religious traditions

Do not agree


Strongly agree


Being thankful for all that has happened to them

Strongly agree



Do not agree

13


Correlations by Religious AffiliationsCorrelations by Religious AffiliationsBaptist Methodist Catholic Non Religious

Affiliations

Seeing each day, good or bad, as a gift

Strongly agree



Do not agree

Believing obligated to follow my parents’ religious practices

Strongly agree



Do not agree

Had a spiritual experience while listening to beautiful music

Strongly agree



Do not agree

Had participating in a musical or artistic performance

Strongly agree



Do not agree

Students find religion to be personally helpful

Strongly agree



Do not agree

My spirituality is a source of joy Strongly agree



Do not agree

14

Students reported the following objectives to be essential or very Students reported the following objectives to be essential or very important:important:

•Attaining wisdom, 77%Attaining wisdom, 77%

•Becoming a more loving person, 64%Becoming a more loving person, 64%

•Seeking out opportunities to help them grow spiritually, 61%Seeking out opportunities to help them grow spiritually, 61%

•Seeking to follow religious teachings in their everyday life, 60%Seeking to follow religious teachings in their everyday life, 60%

•Improving the human condition, 51%.Improving the human condition, 51%.


15

Students agreed strongly or somewhat that:Students agreed strongly or somewhat that:

• Love is at the root of all the great religions, 83%Love is at the root of all the great religions, 83%

•People can reach a higher spiritual plane of consciousness through meditation People can reach a higher spiritual plane of consciousness through meditation or prayer, 80%or prayer, 80%

•We are all spiritual beings, 78%We are all spiritual beings, 78%

•Non-religious people can lead lives that are just as moral as those of religious Non-religious people can lead lives that are just as moral as those of religious believers, 77%believers, 77%

•While science can provide important information about the physical world, While science can provide important information about the physical world, only religion can truly explain existence, 76%only religion can truly explain existence, 76%

•All life is interconnected, 74%All life is interconnected, 74%

•People who don’t believe in God will be punished, 65%.People who don’t believe in God will be punished, 65%.


16

For the students, the relationship between science and religion is For the students, the relationship between science and religion is one of:one of:

• Collaboration; each can be used to help support the other, 38%Collaboration; each can be used to help support the other, 38%

•Conflict; I consider myself to be on the side of religion, 37%Conflict; I consider myself to be on the side of religion, 37%

•Independence; they refer to different aspects of reality, 21%Independence; they refer to different aspects of reality, 21%

•Conflict; I consider myself to be on the side of science, 5%.Conflict; I consider myself to be on the side of science, 5%.


17

Do students pray?Do students pray?

10%

90%

Yes

No


18

Students report frequently praying:Students report frequently praying:

• For forgiveness, 71%For forgiveness, 71%

•For loved ones, 70%For loved ones, 70%

•To express gratitude, 67%To express gratitude, 67%

•For help in solving problems, 66%For help in solving problems, 66%

•To praise God, 65%.To praise God, 65%.


19

Students report engaging at least weekly in:Students report engaging at least weekly in:

• Prayer, 81%Prayer, 81%

•Self-reflection, 66%Self-reflection, 66%

•Religious singing/chanting, 46%Religious singing/chanting, 46%

•Reading sacred texts, 41%Reading sacred texts, 41%

•Other reading on religion/spirituality, 34%.Other reading on religion/spirituality, 34%.


20

The following statements describe students to a great extent:The following statements describe students to a great extent:

• Believing in life after death, 62%Believing in life after death, 62%

•Being thankful for all that has happened to me, 58%Being thankful for all that has happened to me, 58%

•Feeling good about the direction in which their life is headed, 54%Feeling good about the direction in which their life is headed, 54%

•Seeing each day, good or bad, as a gift, 53%Seeing each day, good or bad, as a gift, 53%

•Having an interest in spirituality, 49%Having an interest in spirituality, 49%

•God/Higher Power that transcends my personal self, 49%God/Higher Power that transcends my personal self, 49%

•Believing in the sacredness of life, 46%.Believing in the sacredness of life, 46%.


21

The following best characterize students’ conception of or The following best characterize students’ conception of or experience with God:experience with God:

• Creator, 69%Creator, 69%

•Love, 68%Love, 68%

•Protector, 61%Protector, 61%

•Supreme Being, 54%Supreme Being, 54%

•Teacher, 51%.Teacher, 51%.


22

Students reported having had a spiritual experience while:Students reported having had a spiritual experience while:

• Praying, 84%Praying, 84%

•In a house of worship, 81%In a house of worship, 81%

•Listening to beautiful music, 73%Listening to beautiful music, 73%

•Witnessing the beauty and harmony of nature, 67%Witnessing the beauty and harmony of nature, 67%

•Participating in a retreat, 64%.Participating in a retreat, 64%.


23

5%

2%

93%

Yes

No

Not sure

Do students believe in God?Do students believe in God?


24

The ultimate spiritual quest for students is:The ultimate spiritual quest for students is:

• To follow God’s plan for me, 54%To follow God’s plan for me, 54%

•To discover who I really am, 13%To discover who I really am, 13%

•To know God, 10%To know God, 10%

•I do not consider myself to be on a spiritual quest, 8%.I do not consider myself to be on a spiritual quest, 8%.


25

Students reported the following experiences strengthened their Students reported the following experiences strengthened their religious/spiritual beliefs:religious/spiritual beliefs:

• Death of a close friend or family member, 55%Death of a close friend or family member, 55%

•The events of September 11, 2001, 54%The events of September 11, 2001, 54%

•The war in Iraq, 42%The war in Iraq, 42%

•Romantic relationship, 40%Romantic relationship, 40%

•Personal injury or illness, 37%.Personal injury or illness, 37%.


26

Students agreed strongly or somewhat:Students agreed strongly or somewhat:

• I know someone I can turn to for spiritual guidance, 85%I know someone I can turn to for spiritual guidance, 85%

•I find religion to be personally helpful, 83%I find religion to be personally helpful, 83%

•I gain spiritual strength by trusting in a Higher Power, 83%I gain spiritual strength by trusting in a Higher Power, 83%

•My spirituality is a source of joy, 79%My spirituality is a source of joy, 79%

•I do not expect my religious convictions to change in the next few I do not expect my religious convictions to change in the next few years, 78%years, 78%

•What happens in my life is determined by forces larger than What happens in my life is determined by forces larger than myself, 76%.myself, 76%.


27

Students described their current views about spiritual/religious Students described their current views about spiritual/religious matters:matters:

• Secure, 50%Secure, 50%

•Seeking, 22%Seeking, 22%

•Conflicted, 10%Conflicted, 10%

•Not interested, 6%Not interested, 6%

•Doubting, 5%.Doubting, 5%.


28

Students’ spiritual/religious beliefs:Students’ spiritual/religious beliefs:

• Provide them with strength, support and guidance, 85%Provide them with strength, support and guidance, 85%

•Have helped them develop their identity, 83%Have helped them develop their identity, 83%

•Give meaning/purpose to their life, 83%Give meaning/purpose to their life, 83%

•Are one of the most important things in their life, 83%Are one of the most important things in their life, 83%

•Help define the goals they set for themselves, 81%.Help define the goals they set for themselves, 81%.


29

Most or all of students’ close friends:Most or all of students’ close friends:

• Go to church/temple/other house of worship, 76%Go to church/temple/other house of worship, 76%

•Share their religious/spiritual views, 66%Share their religious/spiritual views, 66%

•Are searching for meaning/purpose in life, 44%.Are searching for meaning/purpose in life, 44%.


30

Students engage to some or a great extent in the following Students engage to some or a great extent in the following activities:activities:

• Being honest in their relationship with others, 95%Being honest in their relationship with others, 95%

•Accepting others as they are, 95%Accepting others as they are, 95%

•Searching for meaning/purpose in life, 81%Searching for meaning/purpose in life, 81%

•Having discussions about the meaning of life with their friends, Having discussions about the meaning of life with their friends, 80%80%

•Trying to change things that are unfair in the world, 72%.Trying to change things that are unfair in the world, 72%.


31

Students reported that during the past year they have:Students reported that during the past year they have:

• Helped friends with personal problems, 96%Helped friends with personal problems, 96%

•Been able to find meaning in times of hardship, 88%Been able to find meaning in times of hardship, 88%

•Felt that your life is filled with stress and anxiety, 79%Felt that your life is filled with stress and anxiety, 79%

•Donated money to charity, 73%Donated money to charity, 73%

•Felt distant from God, 70%Felt distant from God, 70%

•Participated in community food or clothing drives, 68%Participated in community food or clothing drives, 68%

•Felt loved by God, 67%Felt loved by God, 67%

•Struggled to understand evil, suffering and death, 66%.Struggled to understand evil, suffering and death, 66%.


1 Presentation by the Office of Assessment Division of Student Affairs Mississippi State University...

Documents

Transcript of 1 Presentation by the Office of Assessment Division of Student Affairs Mississippi State University...