Spirituality and the Health of College Students

Authors: Nelms, Linda; Hutchins, Edwin; Hutchins, Dorothy; Pursley, Robert

Source: Journal of Religion and Health, Volume 46, Number 2, June 2007 , pp. 249-265(17)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between spirituality and health risks of college students.

Undergraduate students enrolled in Personal Health and Wellness classes at The University of Tennessee were selected to participate in the study. Two-hundred twenty-one students were administered two instruments: The College Student Appraisal of Risks Survey (The CARS) and the Spirituality Scale (SS).

Significant relationships between self-reported levels of spirituality and the health of college students were indicated during the study.

College students integrating a spiritual component while processing decisions about risks that could negatively affect their health experienced better health outcomes. The significance of the study is that this research is an important step toward understanding the role that spirituality plays in the various dimensions of health in young adults.

Keywords: college students; young adults; physical health; emotional health; spirituality; health risks

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10943-006-9075-0

Affiliations: 1: Email: lnelms@charter.net

Publication date: 2007-06-01