Student involvement, spirituality, and equanimity at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

Abstract

This quantitative study examined student involvement and it's relation to spirituality and equanimity at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Two research questions that guided this study were, (1) "Do students who are actively involved in an on-campus student club or organization have higher levels of spirituality than uninvolved students?" and (2) "Do students who are actively involved in an on-campus student club or organization have higher levels of equanimity than uninvolved students?" This study utilized a Qualtrics survey consisting of twenty-one questions. Participants were asked to answer questions related to their demographics, activities and traits associated with spirituality as well as equanimity. Questions contained in the survey were self-reported and frequency-based. Results of this study demonstrated that there exists a statistically significant difference in spirituality between students who are actively involved in an on campus student club or organization and uninvolved students. Results regarding differences in levels of equanimity between students who are actively involved in an on campus student club or organization and uninvolved students did not produce any statistically significant differences. Recommendations were suggested, one of which was that student affairs professionals utilize on-campus student clubs or organization as a resource for students to develop and explore their spiritual identities.