268041 Importance of Spiritual Wellness among a Sample of College Students

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Kara N. Zografos, DrPH, MPH , Department of Public Health, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA
Vickie D. Krenz, PhD, MSPH , Department of Public Health, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA
Dominick Sturz, MPH, CHES , School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Jose Arrezola, BS , Department of Public Health, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA
The spiritual dimension of wellness involves seeking meaning and purpose in human existence. Spiritual practices can promote healthy behavior, reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, and encourage a sense of relaxation. The purpose of this study was to assess the importance of spiritual wellness in terms of age, gender, and ethnicity. A total of 1,082 randomly selected college students from California State University, Fresno completed the web-based American College Health Association – National College Health Assessment. The survey assessed the importance of spiritual wellness with responses ranging from “very important” to “not important”. Of those who responded, females (34.1%) were more likely than males (16.6%) to report that spiritual wellness was “very important” &Chi2(3, N = 1,050) = 15.86, p = .001. Additionally, Caucasians (17.3%) and Hispanics (17.0%) were more likely than all other ethnicities combined to report spiritual wellness as being “very important” &Chi2(15, N = 1,059) = 30.05, p value = .012. Although not statistically significant, there was a negative association between age and the importance of spiritual wellness. Additional findings and recommendations, including strategies to encourage spiritual wellness among college students, will be discussed.

Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Assess the importance of spiritual wellness in terms of age, gender, and ethnicity. Describe strategies to encourage spiritual wellness among college students.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have analyzed data from the American College Health Association - National College Health Assessment for the past 5 years. I have an interest in spiritual health among the college population.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 2063.0: Education, Practice, Quality, Training, and Other Special Aspects in Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Health Practices: Poster Session