Abstract
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between spirituality and health risks of college students.
Methods
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).
Results
Significant relationships between self-reported levels of spirituality and the health of college students were indicated during the study.
Conclusions
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.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
To fulfill academic requirements at The University of Tennessee for a class entitled, Seminar in Applied Psychometrics facilitated by Professor John W. Lounsbury, Dr. Nelms implemented a study to develop and establish the reliability and construct validity of an instrument to measure spirituality. The completed scale is entitled the Spirituality Scale (SS) . Further explanation of the scale development/validation and a copy of the scale can be found in the following resource: Nelms, L.W. The Relationship between Spirituality and the Health of College Students in a University Setting [electronic dissertation]. Knoxville, TN: The University of Tennessee; 2005.
The Healthier People Network, Inc. at Atlanta, Georgia is a non-profit corporation committed to the development and dissemination of Health Risk Appraisals in the public interest.
The course is entitled Personal Health and Wellness and the text used is Payne WA, Hahn DB, Mauer EB. Understanding Your Health. 8th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill; 2005. One of the central themes of the text used in this course is the multiple dimensions of health namely, physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual and occupational.
References
Cavendish R., Luise B.K., Bauer M., Gallo M.A., Horne K., Medefindt J., et al (2001). Recognizing opportunities for spiritual enhancement in young adults Nursing Diagnosis 12(3): 77–92
Chandler C.K., Holden J.M., Kolander C.A., (1992). Counseling for spiritual wellness: Theory and practice Journal of Counseling and Development 71: 168–175
Coday D. (2003). Students’ religiosity studied National Catholic Reporter 39(36): 7
Costa P., McCrae R. (1985). The NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) professional manual Psychological Assessment Resources Odessa, FL
Frankel B.G., Hewitt W.E., (1994). Religion and well-being among Canadian University students: The role of faith groups on campus Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 33(1): 62–73
Grace T.W., (1997). Health problems of college students Journal of American College Health 45(6): 243–251
Hestick H., Perrino S.C., Rhodes W.A., Sydnor K.D., (2001). Trial and lifetime smoking risks among African American college students Journal of American College Health 49: 213–219
Hettler, W. (2004). Six dimensions of health. Retrieved September 20, 2004, from http://www.hettler.com
Jacobsen D., Jacobsen R.H. (2004). Scholarship & Christian Faith Enlarging the Conversation Oxford University Press Oxford
Kaiser, L. (2002). Spirituality and Healthcare in the 21st Century. Paper presented at a conference at Erlanger Health Systems, Chattanooga, TN
Koenig H.G., McCullough M.E., Larson D.B., (2001). Handbook of Religion and Health Oxford University Press. Oxford
Koenig H.G., (2002). Spirituality in Patient Care: Why, How, When, and What Templeton Foundation Press Philadelphia
Kolchakian M.R., Sears Jr. S.F., (1999). Religious co** in college students Journal of Religion and Health 38(2): 115–124
Larson D.B., Larson S.S., (2003). Spirituality’s potential relevance to physical and emotional health: a brief review of quantitative research Journal of Psychology and Theology 31(1): 37–51
Lenz B.K., (2004). Tobacco, depression, and lifestyle choices in the pivotal early college years Journal of American College Health 52(5): 213–219
Mackey K.M., Sparling J.W., (2000). Experiences of older women with cancer receiving hospice care: Significance for physical therapy Physical Therapy 80(5): 459–468
Miller W.R., Thoresen C.E., (1999). Spirituality and Health In: Miller W.R., (Eds.). Integrating Spirituality into Treatment American Psychological Association Washington DC (pp. 3–18)
O’Neill D.P., Kenny E.K., (1998). Spirituality and chronic illness Journal of Nursing Scholarship 30(3): 275–281
Patterson, F., Lerman, C., Kaufmann, V.G., Neuner, G.A. and Audrain-McGovern, J. (2004). Cigarette smoking practices among American College students: Review and future directions. Journal of American College Health 52(5), 203–210
Payne W.A., Hahn D.B., Mauer E.B., (2005). Understanding Your Health 8th ed McGraw-Hill Boston
Perrin K.M., McDermott R.J., (1997). The spiritual dimension of health: A review American Journal of Health Studies 13(2): 90–99
Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19–22 June, 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948
Sax L.J., (1997). Health trends among college freshmen Journal of American College Health 45(6): 252–263
Tuck I., Wallace D., Pullen L., (2001). Spirituality and spiritual care provided by Parish nurses Western Journal of Nursing Research 23(5): 441–453
Webber R., (2002). Young people and their quest for meaning Youth Studies Australia 21(1): 40–43
Wechsler H., Seibring M., Liu I., Ahl M., (2004). Collages respond to student binge drinking: Reducing student demand or limiting access Journal of American College Health 52(4): 159–168
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
At the time of the study, Linda W. Nelms was a doctoral candidate and Graduate Teaching Associate at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She is currently with the Tennessee Department of Health serving as a Public Health Educator in the East Tennessee region. Edwin Hutchins is the President of the The Healthier People Network, Inc. located in Atlanta, GA. and adjunct professor at the Emory University School of Public Health. Dr. Hutchins had served in many capacities throughout his career. Most recent, include Program Director of The Health Risk Appraisal Program at the Carter Center of Emory University, Director for the Center for Research in Health Professions Education at the University of Pennsylvania, PA and adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania, PA. In addition, Dr. Hutchins was a Fellow in Preventive and Social Medicine at Harvard University School of Medicine, Boston, MA and a visiting scholar at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences in Palo Alto, California. Dorothy Hutchins is the Director of the Users Network at The Healthier Peoples Network, Inc. in Atlanta, GA. Past experiences include Child Development Specialist at the Mid-Missouri Mental Health Center and the Family Support Center of Yeadon, PA and Education Coordinator at Head Start Programs in Philadelphia, PA and Decatur, GA. Dr. Hutchins has taught several educational classes at Iowa State University, the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and Mercer University in Atlanta. Robert J. Pursley returned to teaching at the college level in September 1980. He is an Associate Professor at The University of Tennessee. In the past, Dr. Pursley served as the Director of Roosevelt- Warm Springs Hospital and Institute of Rehabilitation, Warm Springs, GA. His career in the health field is divided into almost three equal parts related to hospital administration, teaching, and upper extremity prosthetic research. Currently, his primary focus is on microcomputer applications related to preventive and community medicine. All authors have been previously published in peer reviewed journals.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nelms, L.W., Hutchins, E., Hutchins, D. et al. Spirituality and the Health of College Students. J Relig Health 46, 249–265 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-006-9075-0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-006-9075-0