Understanding the relational web of adolescent spirituality: The outcomes of a national inquiry in one christian school system

Abstract

This chapter unpacks a national qualitative investigation using Australian adolescent students in the largest international Protestant educational schooling system as respondents. The aim of this study was to understand students’ perspectives on spirituality, in an effort to work towards developing an overall grounded theory of spirituality. Using the tools of grounded theory, the analysis of the interviews revealed these students had a high degree of self-awareness of what constituted spirituality, set within a social emotional framework. More importantly, this understanding constituted dimensions of positive psychology, social engagement, and deep reflection with peers.