The Influence of Selected Asian Adventist Universities on Students’ Development of Life Skills, Religiosity and Altruism

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe the influence of four Adventist universities
in Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand on the development of life skills, religiosity
and altruism among students. Survey research methodology was the design used to
collect data using printed questionnaires. The questionnaire was primarily designed
to elicit information on reasons for attending the universities, engagement in
curricular and extra-curricular activities, and the extent to which the university
influence student development of life skills, religiosity and altruism. One thousand
nine hundred and sixty-eight (1968) students participated in this study. Students
generally agree that the universities have positively influenced the development of
their life skills (M = 4.05, SD = 0.59), religiosity (M = 4.15, SD = 0.69), and
altruism (M = 3.88, SD = 0.60). There are no significant class status or gender
differences on these variables. There are some variation among the universities but
the effect size is small (η 2 ≤ .05). Approximately 45% of the variance on the linear
combination of the development of religiosity, life skills and altruism can be
explained by student engagement in religious and extra-curricular activities, and
interaction with professors/staff and friends. It is quite apparent that the university
experience influence both religious and non-religious aspects of the student life
development.