Used Sources of Spiritual Growth for Spanish University Students
Metadatos
Mostrar el registro completo del ítemEditorial
MDPI
Materia
Sources for spiritual growth Religion Spirituality Young adults
Fecha
2018-06-11Referencia bibliográfica
Muñoz García, A.; Villena-Martínez, Mª D.. Used Sources of Spiritual Growth for Spanish University Students. Religions 2018, 9, 186; doi:10.3390/rel9060186.
Resumen
Although some research has suggested means of promoting spiritual development in
higher education, no systematic studies or literature reviews have been conducted to know what
sources are most used for the spiritual growth of university students. This aspect was studied in a
sample of 309 Spanish university students (Mean age = 21.40, range 18–25). The used sources
were (in descending order) as follows: the practice of a virtuous behavior, cognitive-reflexive,
nature-based, cultural, and religious sources. Women showed a higher use of cognitive-reflective
and virtuous behavior-based sources. Age was related only and negatively to the use of religious
sources. These results are consistent with previous studies indicating a greater religiosity in women
and a lesser importance of religion in contemporary society and, particularly, in the life of young
adults. However, taken as a whole, they indicate the importance of sociological and cultural aspects,
in particular of the movement from traditional religiosity to religious indifference and dissatisfaction
with institutional religion and/or toward spiritual movements linked to humanistic religions and
spiritualities of life. It also points out the need to use a variety of strategies to foster the spiritual
development of students.