Bridges and Barriers in the Development of Faith, Identity, and Life Purpose in College Seniors Katie Byron Whitney Guthrie Cindy Miller-Perrin Don Thompson June 13, 2006

Emergence of Positive Psychology Traditionally, the field of psychology has focused on individuals’ maladaptive traits and pathologies Traditionally, the field of psychology has focused on individuals’ maladaptive traits and pathologies Positive Psychology explores individual health and well-being Positive Psychology explores individual health and well-being

Life Purpose Life purpose is a popular area of research within Positive Psychology Life purpose is a popular area of research within Positive Psychology Life purpose is linked to well-being Life purpose is linked to well-being Life purpose is part of Pepperdine University’s Mission Life purpose is part of Pepperdine University’s Mission

What Contributes to Life Purpose? Faith Faith –Religion is one context in which we encounter commitment to an ultimate concern or purpose Identity Identity –Our ongoing life narratives allow us to understand who we are and where we belong – i.e. our life purpose

Faith and Life Purpose Bridges Religious conversion Religious conversion –Life purpose evolves following conversion: euphoria, doubt, renewed strength and stability Core experiences Core experiences –Experiences of feeling close with God, including the perception that God dwells within, engender a sense of life purpose Spiritual strivings Spiritual strivings –Sacred goals that aim for meaningful life objectives, pertaining to a person’s imago dei, contribute to life purpose Mysticism Mysticism –Strong emotional religious experience accompanies a strong sense of life purpose God Control God Control –The degree to which individuals perceive God as being in control of their life can impact life direction or purpose

Identity and Life Purpose Bridges Developing a sense of identity out of life stories and experiences leads to life meaning and purpose Developing a sense of identity out of life stories and experiences leads to life meaning and purpose Identity confusion – caused by lack of goals, based on lack of direction – negatively impacts life purpose Identity confusion – caused by lack of goals, based on lack of direction – negatively impacts life purpose Development of life purpose helps to resolve identity crises Development of life purpose helps to resolve identity crises

Life Purpose Barriers To date, no studies have addressed factors that inhibit one’s understanding of life purpose To date, no studies have addressed factors that inhibit one’s understanding of life purpose For those who experience discrimination, minority status is negatively related to personal growth For those who experience discrimination, minority status is negatively related to personal growth There are many other potential barriers to life purpose such as anxiety, financial circumstances, personality, etc. There are many other potential barriers to life purpose such as anxiety, financial circumstances, personality, etc.

Hypotheses – Bridges & Barriers to Life Purpose Faith development and identity achievement positively predict life purpose Faith development and identity achievement positively predict life purpose Specific barriers examined in the current study negatively predict life purpose Specific barriers examined in the current study negatively predict life purpose –Personality or personal emotions –Views and opinions of others –Social pressures or personal circumstances

Participants 89 undergraduates (mean age = 21.53) 89 undergraduates (mean age = 21.53) 60% female, 40% male 60% female, 40% male 67% White, 6% Asian, 6% Latino, 10% Multiracial/Other 67% White, 6% Asian, 6% Latino, 10% Multiracial/Other 64% Protestant, 14% Catholic, 2% Jewish, 1% Hindu, 18% Other/None 64% Protestant, 14% Catholic, 2% Jewish, 1% Hindu, 18% Other/None All participants were seniors at Pepperdine University All participants were seniors at Pepperdine University Students were selected from the 2002 entering class to participate in a longitudinal survey on faith, identity, and vocation. The current study included 89 of these participants who responded to two separate surveys given during their senior year Students were selected from the 2002 entering class to participate in a longitudinal survey on faith, identity, and vocation. The current study included 89 of these participants who responded to two separate surveys given during their senior year

Measures & Scales General Life Purpose Scale General Life Purpose Scale Life Purpose Barriers Scale Life Purpose Barriers Scale Identity Scale Identity Scale –Ego-Identity Status Faith Scales Faith Scales –Faith Maturity –Spiritual Transcendence

General Life Purpose Scale Designed to measure overall sense of life purpose Designed to measure overall sense of life purpose Sample items Sample items –I have a good sense of purpose in life –I have no sense of direction in life –My life is valuable and worthwhile –I am making a contribution to society

General Life Purpose Responses

Life Purpose Barriers Scale Measures factors that can prevent individuals from fulfilling their life purpose Measures factors that can prevent individuals from fulfilling their life purpose Yields scores on three subscales: Yields scores on three subscales: –Personality or personal emotions Lack of motivation, fear, being uncertain of what God wants Lack of motivation, fear, being uncertain of what God wants –Views and opinions of others Parents, boyfriend or girlfriend, teachers Parents, boyfriend or girlfriend, teachers –Social pressures or personal circumstances Financial debt, feeling limited by gender stereotypes Financial debt, feeling limited by gender stereotypes

Life Purpose Barriers Responses

Ego-Identity Status Survey Classifies subjects into one of four identity groups: Classifies subjects into one of four identity groups: –Achievement: exploration and commitment “It took me a while to figure it out, but now I really know what I want for a career.” “It took me a while to figure it out, but now I really know what I want for a career.” –Moratorium: exploration without commitment “Religion is confusing to me right now. I keep changing my views on what is right and wrong for me.” “Religion is confusing to me right now. I keep changing my views on what is right and wrong for me.” –Foreclosure: no exploration, but commitment “My parents decided a long time ago what I should go into for employment and I’m following through with their plans.” “My parents decided a long time ago what I should go into for employment and I’m following through with their plans.” –Diffusion: no exploration or commitment “I haven’t really considered politics. It just doesn’t excite me much.” “I haven’t really considered politics. It just doesn’t excite me much.”

Ego-Identity Status Responses

Faith Maturity Scale Measures values and behavioral manifestations of faith Measures values and behavioral manifestations of faith Sample items Sample items –My life is filled with meaning and purpose –I have a real sense that God is guiding me –My faith shapes how I think and act each and every day –I devote time to reading and studying the Bible

Faith Maturity Responses

Spiritual Transcendence Scale Measures ability to step outside of oneself and immediate surroundings to view life on large scale, yielding three subscales: Measures ability to step outside of oneself and immediate surroundings to view life on large scale, yielding three subscales: – Connectedness : assesses participants’ sense of community and relationships with others I am concerned about those who will come after me in life I am concerned about those who will come after me in life – Prayer Fulfillment : assesses participants’ prayer or meditation experience I have experienced deep fulfillment and bliss through my prayers or meditations I have experienced deep fulfillment and bliss through my prayers or meditations – Universality : assesses participants’ sense of a greater meaning in life I believe that death is a doorway to another plane of existence I believe that death is a doorway to another plane of existence

Spiritual Transcendence Responses

Additional Results Barrier Gender Differences Barrier Gender Differences Faith Gender Differences Faith Gender Differences Predictors of Life Purpose Predictors of Life Purpose

Gender Differences: Emotional Barriers Females perceive emotional barriers to life purpose at higher levels than males

Gender Differences: Social Pressure Barriers Females perceive social barriers to life purpose at higher levels than males Females perceive social barriers to life purpose at higher levels than males

Gender Differences: Faith Variables Females scored significantly higher on Faith Maturity & Spiritual Transcendence Females scored significantly higher on Faith Maturity & Spiritual Transcendence

Best Predictors of Life Purpose Faith MaturityAchieved Identity StatusEmotional Barriers Life Purpose

Lessons for Pepperdine University Engender Faith Growth – Mentoring, Spiritual Nourishment, Challenges to Faith Engender Faith Growth – Mentoring, Spiritual Nourishment, Challenges to Faith Promote Self-Discovery – leading to Achieved Identity – Reflective Experiences – International Programs, Retreats, Club Convo Promote Self-Discovery – leading to Achieved Identity – Reflective Experiences – International Programs, Retreats, Club Convo Understand dynamics of gender, especially considering our 60/40 balance Understand dynamics of gender, especially considering our 60/40 balance

Dr. Cindy Miller-Perrin

Whitney Guthrie

Katie Byron