The Influence of University Personnel Upon Students' Spirituality at Selected Adventist Universities

319 Pages·2017·4.35 MB·English

by  Isaiah Ola Abolarin

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Dissertations Graduate Research
2013
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Isaiah Ola Abolarin
Andrews University
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Adventist Universities in West Africa" (2013). Dissertations. 2.
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ABSTRACT

THE INFLUENCE OF UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL UPON STUDENTS’
SPIRITUALITY AT SELECTED ADVENTIST UNIVERSITIES
IN WEST AFRICA

by

Isaiah Ola Abolarin

Adviser: John Matthews
ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH
Dissertation

Andrews University
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Title: THE INFLUENCE OF UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL UPON STUDENTS’
SPIRITUALITY AT SELECTED ADVENTIST UNIVERSITIES IN WEST
AFRICA

Name of researcher: Isaiah Ola Abolarin
Name and degree of faculty adviser: John Matthews, Ph.D.
Date completed: July 2013

Problem and Purpose
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a deep concern for youth and young
adults’ spirituality. Hence the church established institutions of higher learning with the
aim of restoring in youth and young adults the image of God in which they were created.
There are programs and activities in these institutions to accomplish the aim, but there is
still concern among church leaders and parents that young people will abandon their faith
and exit the church. This study explored the influence of interactions between students
and university personnel in selected Adventist universities in West Africa that, apart from
programs and activities, might facilitate the development of biblical spirituality.
Method
A quantitative research design was used to survey students of the two selected
Adventist universities in West Africa, Babcock University (Nigeria) and Valley View
University (Ghana). A sample of about 800 students was randomly chosen from the two
universities; 787 students gave responses good enough for analysis. The instrument used
for the study was adapted from the Christian Spirituality Participation Profile (CSPP) and
the Multidimensional Measurement of Religiousness/Spirituality (MMRS). The
participants indicated the frequency of their interaction with university personnel and the
perceived impact of the interaction on student spirituality. The participants also indicated
their level of spirituality. Descriptive analysis was used to determine the frequency of
interaction, the perceived impact of interaction on student spirituality, and the level of
student spirituality. One-Way ANOVA was used to determine the influence of some
demographic factors on frequency of interaction and perceived impact of interaction on
student spirituality. Canonical correlation was used to determine the interrelationships
between interaction and student spirituality on the one hand, and the perceived impact of
interaction and student spirituality on the other.

Results
The level of interaction with students was higher with faculty than other
university personnel. The perceived impact of interaction on student spirituality was
higher with faculty than other university personnel. Student spirituality was high.
Students who were older in age, at a higher level of study, and who were Adventist had
more interaction with university personnel. Student spirituality correlated with interaction
with university personnel and perceived impact of interaction on student spirituality.
Students who were older in age, in a higher level of study, and Adventist had higher
levels of spirituality.

Conclusion
Intentional interaction with students by university personnel from the time of
enrollment will help students to develop biblical spirituality. The interaction has to be
positive and with authentic concern for students’ holistic growth. Universities should be
loving communities where students can freely discuss spiritual matters. The religious
backgrounds of students should not determine the interaction between university
personnel and students.
Andrews University
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

THE INFLUENCE OF UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL UPON STUDENTS’
SPIRITUALITY AT SELECTED ADVENTIST UNIVERSITIES
IN WEST AFRICA

A Dissertation
Presented in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Philosophy

by
Isaiah Ola Abolarin
July 2013
© Copyright by Isaiah Ola Abolarin 2013
All Rights Reserved
THE INFLUENCE OF UNIVERSITY PERSONNEL UPON STUDENTS’
SPIRITUALITY AT SELECTED ADVENTIST UNIVERSITIES
IN WEST AFRICA

A dissertation
presented in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree
Doctor of Philosophy

by

Isaiah Ola Abolarin

APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE:

Faculty Adviser, Director, PhD in Religious Education
John V. G. Matthews Kathleen A. Beagles
Professor of Educational Foundations and
Religious Education

Cheryl D. Doss Dean, SDA Theological Seminary
Associate Professor of World Missions Jiří Moskala

Jimmy Kijai
Professor of Research and Statistical Methodology

H. Peter Swanson
Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care

Dennis D. Fledderjohann Date approved
Chair, Department of Educational Ministries
Moody Bible Institute
To my father, who covenanted me to God for salvific
work even before I was conceived

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