Abstract
US students with higher spirituality scores report better health and life satisfaction. This is the first UK study to explore the relationship between spirituality, health and life satisfaction of undergraduate students. Over 500 undergraduates completed an online questionnaire. Significant differences in spirituality score were present across college, ethnicity and religious belief. There appears to be a desire for spirituality amongst many students. Universities have a role to play in supporting students’ search for meaning and purpose. Additional research is warranted to further understand the role of spirituality in the health and well-being of undergraduates.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Lesley Roberts, Lisa Jones, Sayeed Haque, Roger Holder, Andrea Roalfe, Lesley Davies-Bailey, Sue Vahid and the students. This study was undertaken as part of a BMedSc degree in Public Health and Population Sciences and was funded by the University of Birmingham and an intercalated student award from the Association of Physicians of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Anand, V., Jones, J. & Gill, P.S. The Relationship Between Spirituality, Health and Life Satisfaction of Undergraduate Students in the UK: An Online Questionnaire Study. J Relig Health 54, 160–172 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9792-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9792-0