Sense of Purpose Among Students at Secular and Christian U.S. Universities: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study

This longitudinal qualitative study examined the sense of purpose of students at three Christian universities (CUs) and five secular institutions at two time points during their college careers. The students at the secular universities were participating in Centers for Christian Thought (CCTs) near the university. Drawing on the Relational Developmental Systems Model of character, we interviewed seventy-one undergraduates (42 at Christian universities and 29 at CCTs) twice over 18 months to identify and compare the content and stability of their stated purpose ingredients in light of their current context. Results indicated that students identified thirteen different purpose ingredients. Across both settings, students’ purposes were predominantly “beyond-the-self” (e.g., serving God, helping others), while self-oriented purposes declined over time. However, only a minority maintained stable purpose ingredients across both interviews, revealing notable instability regarding purpose in early college years. Interestingly, by the second interview, students affiliated with CCTs more frequently emphasized God-centered purposes than students at CUs. In light of this finding, we suggest that the regular recommitment required by involvement in a CCT, versus the one-time commitment to attend a CU, may result in greater engagement and more significant changes among student purposes at CCTs.