What does this research mean for the field?

Among graduating seminary students, greater religiousness and spirituality correlate with lower mature alterity, but individuals possessing high levels of both traits exhibit the highest overall well-being. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the relationships between religiousness/spirituality, mature alterity (humbly engaging with others' differences), and multidimensional well-being among theological students.

September 8, 2026Review of Religious ResearchOpen Access

The Spiritual Formation of Religious Leaders: An Analysis of The Association of Theological Schools’ Graduating Student Questionnaire Data

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Authors

PJPeter J. JankowskiBoston University SSSteven J. SandageBoston University DWDavid WangFuller Theological Seminary

Discussion

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Implication

Cross-sectional survey reveals complex links between spirituality, mature alterity, and well-being in graduating seminarians, highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions.

Key Points

To evaluate the relationships between religiousness/spirituality, mature alterity (humbly engaging with others' differences), and multidimensional well-being among theological students.
Analyzed graduating student survey data from N = 5,528 students (mean age 41.92 years; 55% male, 57% White) across 151 North American institutions accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
Applied variable- and person-centered analyses to test expectations derived from the relational spirituality model.
Higher religiousness/spirituality was significantly associated with lower mature alterity, higher global well-being, and reduced social well-being.
Students demonstrating high levels of both religiousness/spirituality and mature alterity experienced the highest overall well-being, supporting the relational spirituality framework.

Cite This Study

Jankowski et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9fd7d558e84d0ff5b46d8d https://doi.org/10.1177/0034673x261477782

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Implication

Cross-sectional survey reveals complex links between spirituality, mature alterity, and well-being in graduating seminarians, highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions.

The Spiritual Formation of Religious Leaders: An Analysis of The Association of Theological Schools’ Graduating Student Questionnaire Data

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

The Spiritual Formation of Religious Leaders: An Analysis of The Association of Theological Schools’ Graduating Student Questionnaire Data

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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