Event Title
The Role of Spirituality in Psychological Adjustment among College Students
Document Type
Event
Start Date
28-6-2017 10:00 AM
Description
Abstract
College-related stress such as academic workload, financial concerns, and interpersonal problems have been associated with college students’ psychological distress (e.g., Chow, 2007; Ross et al., 2005). This study examined how spirituality – comprised of religious well-being (one’s relationship with God) and existential well-being (one’s sense of life purpose)—may buffer against the effect of college-related stress on student’s experience of psychological distress, and enhance their sense of satisfaction with life. An ethnically diverse sample of college students from two public universities in Southern California and New Jersey was recruited. Multiple regression analyses showed that the overall model of spiritual well-being and college-related stress was statistically significant in predicting college students’ psychological distress and satisfaction with life. Moderation analysis indicated that existential well-being, but not religious well-being, significantly moderated the effect of college stress on students’ experience of psychological distress, but not on their satisfaction with life. Suggestions and implications for educators and counselors will be discussed.
Recommended Citation
Shea, Munyi, "The Role of Spirituality in Psychological Adjustment among College Students" (2017). Center for Global Curriculum Studies Symposium. 11.
https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/globalcurriculumsymposium/gcs2017/gcs2017_events/11
The Role of Spirituality in Psychological Adjustment among College Students
Abstract
College-related stress such as academic workload, financial concerns, and interpersonal problems have been associated with college students’ psychological distress (e.g., Chow, 2007; Ross et al., 2005). This study examined how spirituality – comprised of religious well-being (one’s relationship with God) and existential well-being (one’s sense of life purpose)—may buffer against the effect of college-related stress on student’s experience of psychological distress, and enhance their sense of satisfaction with life. An ethnically diverse sample of college students from two public universities in Southern California and New Jersey was recruited. Multiple regression analyses showed that the overall model of spiritual well-being and college-related stress was statistically significant in predicting college students’ psychological distress and satisfaction with life. Moderation analysis indicated that existential well-being, but not religious well-being, significantly moderated the effect of college stress on students’ experience of psychological distress, but not on their satisfaction with life. Suggestions and implications for educators and counselors will be discussed.