“Factors Influencing the Spiritual Well-Being

of Capitol University College Students.”

A Research Paper Presented to the

Capitol University Research Extension Office

Capitol University

Cagayan de Oro City

By

Sr. Jennifer L. Tuazon, CM

Spiritual Director

Campus Ministry Office

Capitol University

July 31, 2008

i
 ABSTRACT

1. Title : “Factors Influencing the Spiritual Well-Being

of Capitol University College Students.”

2. Author : Sr. Jennifer L. Tuazon, CM

3. Type of Document :

4. Type of Publication:

5. Host Institution : Capitol University

Address : Corrales St., Cagayan de Oro City

6. Key Words : Spiritual Well Being, General Well Being, Psycho-

Spiritual Enrichment, Prayer, Meditation

7. Abstract

This research attempted to determine the level of spiritual and general

well being of Capitol University college students as well as to identify the

factors influencing the spiritual well being of the same students. A

descriptive-correlational research design was utilized for this study. For this

purpose a sample of 315 CU students enrolled during the School Year 2007-

2008 who have attended a Psycho-Spiritual Enrichment Seminar Workshop

organized and conducted by the Campus Ministry of the same university were

randomly chosen to serve as the respondents of the study.

The following are among the salient findings of the study: a) The

spiritual well-being of the respondents tended to be high. This is in contrast to

the average level of general well-being of the same respondents. b) The

relationship between spiritual well-being of the respondents on one hand, and

the following variables: psycho-spiritual enrichment experience seminar

(PSE), duration of PSE attended, religious affiliation, global religiousness,

ii
course pursued in college or in CU, age, family income and general well-being

on the other hand is generally weak. The correlation coefficients of spiritual

well-being and all of the independent variables considered in this study except

the general well-being ranged only from as low as -0.03 to 0.24. This

correlation coefficient however improves to 0.521 when the general well-being

of the students is added in measuring the strength of the relationship of these

variables and spiritual well-being; the results of identifying the

determinants/predictors of spiritual well-being of the respondents using the

backward selection of variables of the multiple regression program of SPSS

uncovered the following factors to significantly influence the spiritual well-

being of the respondents: general well-being, global religiousness, psycho-

spiritual enrichment experience, course pursued in CU, duration of the

psycho-spiritual enrichment seminar workshop attended and year level in

college. The combined effect of these variables on the spiritual well-being of

the respondents of this research is R = 0.625 or R2 = 0.391.

iii
 Acknowledgement

“No one has ever seen God. Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us,

and his love is brought to perfection in us.” (1 John 15:12)

God, whose love knows no bounds, was being experienced through

people who have contributed in myriad of ways in the completion of this

research project. Heartfelt gratitude is extended to the following persons

whose love and generosity towards the researcher is much treasured:

Dr. Marties A. Khanser, Dr. Numeriano Escalante, Dr. Noel Alegre, Dr.

Marcel Budlong and the rest of the research officers in CUREXO with Joan

and the Student Assistants, for their intellectual knowledge and their patience

and understanding that make this paper reach its completion;

Fr. Rolly Aniscal, SSC, for his enduring love, inspiring presence and

generosity in giving his time to facilitate the Psycho-Spiritual Enrichment

(PSE) Seminar Workshop and his brother priests in the Columban Missionary;

Carmelite Missionary Sisters in Lapasan, and Manresa, Cagayan de

oro city, Msgr. Tex Legitimas, CU University Chaplain, Fr. Andrew Sudol and

postulants, Phu and Ngoc of the Sacred Heart Priests Congregation and Bros.

Bong, Kenoy, and Paul of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, the

College Deans, NSTP Head and Paraprofessionals, Mr. Leo Pangan and

maintenance personnel, Mr. Lando Olaer, Michael, Zsydee, Tristan and the

Campus Ministers, PSE participants and all those who give their support and

assistance throughout the duration of this study.

Finally, to God who is my all and my reason for being.

To God be the glory!

Sr. Jennifer L. Tuazon, CM

iv
 Table of Contents

Page

Title Page i

Approval Sheet ii

Abstract iii

Acknowledgement iv

Table of Contents v

List of Tables vii

List of Figures x

Chapter

1 Introduction to the Study 1

Theoretical Framework 3

Conceptual Framework 5

Statement of the Problem and the Hypothesis 8

Significance of the Study 10

Delimitation of the Study 11

Definition of Terms 12

Review of Related Literature 15

Effects of Prayer Experiences on Measures

of General Well-Being 15

Effects of Prayer and Meditation on Measures of

Spiritual Well Being 17

The Process of Meditation 19

Understanding Meditation Effects 21

v
2 Research Design and Methodology 29

Method 30

Materials and Instrumentation 30

Procedure 33

Statistical Data Analysis 34

3 Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data 35

Problem 1 35

Problem 2 46

Problem 3 55

Problem 4 59

Spiritual Well Being as Influenced by the Psycho-

Spiritual Enrichment (PSE) Experience 62

4 Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations 76

Summary of the Problems, Methods, and Findings 76

Conclusions 83

Recommendations 85

References 87

Appendixes 93

vi
 List of Tables

Table Page

1 Spiritual Well Being of the College Students

as an Entire Group and when Group According to

their PSE Experience 36

2 Level of Spiritual Well Being of College Students

when Grouped as to the Duration of PSE and

their Global Religiousness 37

3 Level of Spiritual Well Being of College Students

when Grouped as to their Religious Affiliations 39

4 Level of Spiritual Well Being of College Students when

Grouped as to their Family’s Income 41

5 Level of Spiritual Well Being of College Students when

Grouped as to their Age and Sex 43

6 Level of Spiritual Well Being (SWB) of College

Students when Grouped as to their Year Level

in College and Course Pursued in CU 45

7 Level of General Well-Being (GWB) of College Students

as an Entire Group and when Grouped as to

their PSE Experience. 46

8 Level of General Well-Being (GWB) of College

Students as an Entire Group and when Grouped

as to the Duration of PSE Attended 49

vii
9 Level of General Well-Being (GWB) of College

Students when Grouped as to their

Global Religiosity and Religious Affiliation 49

10 Level of General Well-Being (GWB) of College

Students when Grouped as to their Family Income 51

11 Level of General Well-Being (GWB) of College

Students when Grouped as to their Age and Sex 52

12 Level of General Well-Being (GWB) of College

Students when Grouped as to their Year Level in

College and Course Pursued in CU 53

13 Pearson’s Correlation Coefficients between Spiritual

Well-being and the following variables: Psycho Spiritual

Enrichment (PSE) Experience, Duration of PSE,

Global Religiosity, Religious affiliation, Family’s Income,

Age, Sex, Year, Course and General Well Being 56

14 Multiple Correlation Co-efficients obtained by using

Backward Selection of variables as predictors of

Spiritual Well-being 60

15 Summary of the PSE Activities that the Students like Best 63

16 Summary of what the College Students Learned

during the PSE 69

17 Summary of the Realizations of College Students

during their PSE 71

18 Summary of the Suggestions and Comments of the

Participants of the PSE 72

viii
 Figure

Figure Page

1 Spiritual and General Well Being as Influenced

by Psycho-Spiritual Enrichment Experience and other
Selected Factors 8

ix
 List of Appendixes

Appendix Page

A Distribution of the Respondents 93

B List of the Learning Experiences of the

College Students during their PSE 96

C List of Realizations the College Students

Have during their PSE 105

D List of Activities the College Students Like

and the Reasons why they like the PSE activities 134

E List of the Suggestions of the College Students to

Improve the PSE activities 126

F Research Instrument 132