Quality of Life and Spirituality Among College Students

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between quality of life (QOL) and spirituality among college students. Methods: 131 undergraduate students (ages 19-24 yrs; 47 males, 84 females) were randomly selected from four different colleges and universities in Alabama. Subjects completed two surveys, the Duke Religion Index (DRI) and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). The DRI briefly assesses multiple dimensions of religiosity and the SF-12 measures numerous aspects of QOL. Results: Results indicated significant correlations existed between a student's spirituality and a student's QOL. Additionally, there were significant differences (p<0.05) in religiosity and QOL between the four colleges studied and between differing ages. However, there were no significant differences by gender or race. Furthermore, significant correlations existed between a student's body mass index (BMI) and a student's religious attendance, general health, and mental health. Conclusions: Results indicated that, in these findings, the more religious a college student is (i.e. the more often the student goes to church, prays, etc.) the greater that student will perceive his or her QOL to be. Future research should assess whether relationships between QOL and spiritually change (over four years of college) among college students.