An analysis of religious faith in NCAA Division III student-athletes and non student-athletes

No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Bell, Nathan T.
Advisor
Johnson, Scott R.
Issue Date
2007
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.S.)
Department
School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science
Other Identifiers
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the strength of religious faith in student-athletes and non student-athletes attending a religiously-practicing and a non religiously-practicing NCAA Division III institution. Participants were recruited from two NCAA Division III institutions in the Midwest (N = 375). Specifically, participants attended either Institution A (n = 201), a religiously-practicing, or Institution B (n = 174), a non religiously-practicing, NCAA Division III institution. Each participant completed a demographic assessment and the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire.A 2 X 2 X 2 (Gender X Current Athletic Participation X Institution Attended) ANOVA was employed to determine if significant differences existed in strength of religious faith between students at the two aforementioned institutions. Students attending Institution A displayed higher strength of religious faith than students attending Institution B. Also, a significant interaction indicated non student-athletes attending Institution A reported higher strength of religious faith than students-athletes attending Institution A. In addition, student-athletes attending Institution B were not significantly different in respect to strength of religious faith when compared to non student-athletes attending Institution B. Finally, females indicated higher strength of religious faith than males. This study has provided additional evidence for the impact of religion in the lives of intercollegiate student-athletes and non student-athletes.

Collections