Philippine Literature
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPIRITUALITY, STRESS, AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
Crystal J. Cox
A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF EDUCATION August 2011 Committee: Tracy Huziak-Clark, Advisor Lan Li Angela Nelson
© 2011 Crystal J. Cox All Rights Reserved
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ABSTRACT
Enter Advisor’s First and Last Name, Advisor The current thesis seeks to extend the body of research on spirituality by directly examining its relationship to stress and college academic performance using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Research shows the stress is prevalent among college students for hosts of reasons and that stress has an impact on their academic performance and college retention. Poor performance and low retention not only stunt students’ intellectual and economic potential, but reflects poorly on universities. Spirituality is a resilient and controversial variable that has evidenced an ability to help people better cope with stress. It is also related to several other positive psycho-social variables; however, the literature concerning its relationship with academic performance is narrow and inconsistent. 100 students were surveyed, and ten of which were also interviewed, who attend three distinct universities in the Midwest. Students were given a Demographic Questionnaire and the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, as well as asked question about their relationship with God and their academic achievement. Result showed that though there were no significant correlations between stress and academic performance or stress and spirituality, that there were multiple factors that predicted academic success including demographic variables, religious denomination, and satisfaction with current grades. Findings are discussed in terms of better understanding the salutary effects of spirituality and the impact spiritually-based coping could have on student
Crystal J. Cox
A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF EDUCATION August 2011 Committee: Tracy Huziak-Clark, Advisor Lan Li Angela Nelson
© 2011 Crystal J. Cox All Rights Reserved
iii
ABSTRACT
Enter Advisor’s First and Last Name, Advisor The current thesis seeks to extend the body of research on spirituality by directly examining its relationship to stress and college academic performance using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Research shows the stress is prevalent among college students for hosts of reasons and that stress has an impact on their academic performance and college retention. Poor performance and low retention not only stunt students’ intellectual and economic potential, but reflects poorly on universities. Spirituality is a resilient and controversial variable that has evidenced an ability to help people better cope with stress. It is also related to several other positive psycho-social variables; however, the literature concerning its relationship with academic performance is narrow and inconsistent. 100 students were surveyed, and ten of which were also interviewed, who attend three distinct universities in the Midwest. Students were given a Demographic Questionnaire and the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, as well as asked question about their relationship with God and their academic achievement. Result showed that though there were no significant correlations between stress and academic performance or stress and spirituality, that there were multiple factors that predicted academic success including demographic variables, religious denomination, and satisfaction with current grades. Findings are discussed in terms of better understanding the salutary effects of spirituality and the impact spiritually-based coping could have on student