The Impact of Higher Education on College Students' Religiosity
Faculty Sponsor
Matthew Ringenberg
College
Arts and Sciences
Discipline(s)
Social Work Department
ORCID Identifier(s)
orcid.org/0000-0002-3158-2248
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 4-23-2016
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to examine how the secularization of higher education, as well as social aspects offered on a college campus, could have been associated with a decrease in religious practices and beliefs (i.e. church attendance or engaging in prayer) of undergraduate students at a college or university; specifically, data showing a lowering of attendance rates in church or an increase in risky social behaviors (i.e high alcohol consumption, sexual promiscuity, etc.) on or around the college campus. This study used theories relating to people in their systems and environments. One of these theories included person-in-environment, which allowed for assessing the religious, social, and communal environment of the sampled persons (where the environment was the university and the person would be the undergraduate student). The results of this study better informed us on the impact of higher education on what can be such an important aspect of students’ lives, religious practices. This study tracked change over time between freshman to seniors in college, because religiosity has been associated with long-term lifestyle choices and safety. The results showed how exposure to secular theorists in higher education, and access to risky social opportunities, may be in contrast to religious practices and beliefs of undergraduate students, even at a private, Christian institution.
Recommended Citation
Scott, Josie R.; Propper, Ellie; and Caragher, Katelyn, "The Impact of Higher Education on College Students' Religiosity" (2016). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 558.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/558
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Josie Scott, Ellie Propper, and Katelyn Caragher are junior social work majors at Valparaiso University. They are interested in the impact of the college experience on a students' religious beliefs and behaviors throughout his or her college career.